Man Utd 3 Nottingham Forest 2: Disputed Handball Decision Against Mbeumo Secures Win for United
Manchester United’s second goal against Nottingham Forest and referee Michael Salisbury’s decision to validate it will only add to the visitors’ ongoing frustrations with Premier League officiating.
<div class="single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--thesun aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter" data-source-unit="Inline Newsletter Module Man United">
<div class="inline-module__inner">
<div class="inline-module__title-wrapper">
<h3 class="inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md">
Sign up for the newsletter
</h3>
<h3 class="inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md">
Thank you!
</h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<figure id="attachment_39133627" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Luke Shaw’s clever finish into the corner helped United gain an early advantage</span> <span class="credit">Credit: Getty</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure id="attachment_39133636" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Morato scored a header shortly after half-time to bring Forest level</span> <span class="credit">Credit: Getty</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure id="attachment_39133781" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Matheus Cunha restored United's lead after finishing from a rebound</span> <span class="credit">Credit: Alamy</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure id="attachment_39133786" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>A check for a potential handball by Mbeumo in the build-up occurred before the goal was awarded</span> <span class="credit">Credit: Alamy</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Forest, who voiced their displeasure on X and previously sought advice from Mark Clattenburg regarding refereeing, were incensed by the decision to allow Matheus Cunha’s goal.</p>
<p>The ball clearly struck Bryan Mbeumo's hand before his attempt was deflected, leading to Cunha's score.</p>
<p>Salisbury gave the goal but was summoned to examine the pitchside monitor. After a three-minute delay, he affirmed his decision.</p>
<p>The official explanation was that Mbeumo's handball was "accidental," yet most handballs share that characteristic.</p>
<div class="article-readmore">
<div class="article-readmore__content-wrapper article-readmore__content-wrapper--multi">
<div class="article-readmore__content">
<div class="article-readmore__content-img">
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="240" width="360" src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DD-17-05-watford-drone-spy_OP.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=360&h=240&crop=1"/>
</div>
<div class="article-readmore__text">
<div class="article-readmore__text-wrapper">
<p class="article-readmore__text-kicker">DRONE GOAL</p>
<p class="article-readmore__text-headline">Troy Deeney reveals surprising drone war when Watford attempted to spy on Arsenal</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="article-readmore__content">
<div class="article-readmore__content-img">
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="240" width="360" src="https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1500x1000-.png?w=360&h=240&crop=1"/>
</div>
<div class="article-readmore__text">
<div class="article-readmore__text-wrapper">
<p class="article-readmore__text-kicker">DOUBLE</p>
<p class="article-readmore__text-headline">Win a VW Campervan and a Golf R or £80k cash from just 22p with our code</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Gary Neville, on co-commentary, faced jeers from Forest fans and is still banned from the City Ground. He was astonished that Cunha’s goal wasn't disallowed.</p>
<p>This led to the now-familiar chant of “Premier League, corrupt as f**k” from the away section, while any subsequent decisions favoring Forest were met with sarcastic applause.</p>
<p>The Forest supporters then chanted, “Are you Celtic in disguise?” referencing the highly questionable VAR decision that favored the Scottish champions in their match at Motherwell earlier in the week.</p>
<p>Even on a day when Bruno Fernandes equaled Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry's record for assists in a Premier League season, VAR continued to overshadow the events that followed.</p>
<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK</strong></p>
<figure id="attachment_39133731" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Mbeumo finally found the net to make it 3-1 after several near misses</span> <span class="credit">Credit: Reuters</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>United concluded their home campaign positively, securing third place, marking their fifth top-three finish since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.</p>
<p>Ferguson, who fell ill at Old Trafford during the Liverpool game two weeks prior, was again absent.</p>
<p>Casemiro's name echoed throughout the stadium as he made his farewell appearance. A banner hung from the Stretford End read 'Until death' in Portuguese, while Casemiro touched the United crest.</p>
<p>Not long ago, United fans displayed a banner honoring Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, and Eric Cantona with the word: standards.</p>
<p>This reflects the considerable decline in standards at United, as Casemiro was lauded after a four-year period marked by two decent seasons, alongside the club's worst in 34 years.</p>
<p>One fan, likely in his 60s, wore the newly-released United home jersey for next season, featuring Casemiro’s name on the back. However, he won’t be wearing it next season.</p>
<figure id="attachment_39133847" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Fernandes was celebrated after securing his record-equalling 20th assist of the season</span> <span class="credit">Credit: Getty</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure id="attachment_39133801" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back with an impressive first-time strike</span> <span class="credit">Credit: EPA</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>United players lined up to embrace Casemiro as he exited the field with ten minutes remaining. Forest, having pulled one back through Morgan Gibbs-White’s neat finish, sought to keep the match competitive.</p>
<p>Attention now shifts to finding Casemiro’s replacement, and he might have encountered his contender.</p>
<p>The 11-year age gap between Elliot Anderson and Casemiro was clear as the Forest midfielder effortlessly glided past the Brazilian, leaving him on the floor just outside the United box.</p>
<p>United have moved beyond the point of needing auditions; however, Anderson left an impression with a strike reminiscent of Beckham during Morato’s equalizer.</p>
<p>Casemiro, unsurprisingly, received yet another heartfelt plea of “One more year” from the Stretford End. Although he will not get another year, Luke Shaw will.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old left back showcased that he still has much to contribute with a well-placed half-volley from Neco Williams’ mishit header to regain United’s lead.</p>
<p>Shaw's contract is up next year, yet he has been a steady presence in all 37 of United’s Premier League outings this season. With the Champions League in sight for next season, United must look for a long-term left back.</p>
<figure id="attachment_39133853" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption alignnone aligncenter">
<figcaption class="wp-caption-text"><span>Carrick finished the season with a home victory as he edges closer to securing the permanent job</span> <span class="credit">EPA</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<figure id="attachment_39133863" class="nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-caption"/>
<p>Shaw’s immediate concern is Thomas Tuchel’s announcement regarding the England squad on Friday. Despite not being called up by the German coach, his injury-free season as both center back and left back warrants consideration.</p>
<p>The match's tempo intensified when Senne Lammens denied Gibbs-White, setting off a United counter, culminating with Fernandes and Cunha racing forward, only for Mbeumo to go around Matz Sels and strike the post.</p>
<p>Anderson demonstrated his set-piece capabilities with an innovative near-post free kick that Nicolas Dominguez managed to deflect wide.</p>
<p>Mbeumo, without a goal since February 7, squandered yet another glaring chance early in the second half, putting the Stretford End crowd in jeopardy with Amad’s pass.</p>
<p>The Cameroonian had another opportunity from a cross but was unable to convert just before Cunha flawlessly placed the ball into the corner.</p>
<p>To the disbelief of many, Salisbury allowed the goal to stand. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was notably absent from the directors’ box, which may have been for the best.</p>
<p>Cunha had spared Mbeumo from immediate disgrace, yet it was short-lived as Mbeumo was poised for another chance but blazed his shot over the bar.</p>
<p>At long last, on his fifth attempt, Mbeumo redirected Fernandes’ sideways pass into the net. Lammens rushed down the pitch primarily to congratulate Fernandes for equalling the record.</p>
<p>The masked Gibbs-White, protecting his recent facial injuries, capped off an industrious display by changing the scoreboard once more, but United remained resolute.</p>