Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with a contentious second goal by Matheus Cunha allowed despite a handball prior to the score [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) acknowledged on Monday, May 18, that the referee, Michael Salisbury, misjudged the incident and the goal should have been disallowed [2, 3, 5].
The key handball involved United forward Bryan Mbeumo using his arm to control the ball before Cunha scored [1, 6, 2]. Despite a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, Salisbury rejected overturning the goal, judging the handball accidental and allowing play to continue [2, 3, 5]. PGMO conceded the decision was a mistake and apologized to Nottingham Forest [2, 3, 5].
Forest manager Vitor Pereira called the handball "very clear" and said "it was the decision that decided the game." He added, "he controlled the ball with his hand, and the goal comes from the control" [3]. BBC pundits Mark Schwarzer and Dion Dublin stated that Mbeumo's arm control on the ball gave Manchester United a "completely unfair advantage" in the build-up to the goal [6].
Referees' chief Howard Webb told Nottingham Forest that "the referee should have followed the VAR's lead" and that the choice to allow the goal was too lenient under Premier League handball rules [5]. Commentator Dermot Gallagher agreed the goal "should be disallowed" and criticized the referee for being influenced by accidental handball interpretations [5].
According to the Premier League's 2021 rules, an accidental handball leading directly to a goal or a goal-scoring opportunity for a teammate should be disallowed [3]. This incident marked the fourth time this season that a referee rejected a VAR recommendation after review [2, 3].
The match result did not affect the final standings significantly, with Manchester United already securing third place and Champions League qualification, while Nottingham Forest was safe from relegation [3]. The Premier League and PGMO have yet to announce any further disciplinary or procedural actions following the admission on May 18.
