The Professional Game Match Officials has issued an apology to Nottingham Forest after acknowledging that referee Michael Salisbury made an error in allowing Matheus Cunha's goal during Manchester United's 3-2 triumph on Sunday.
The controversial decision came at Old Trafford when Salisbury chose to overrule the video assistant referee on a disputed handball call.
PGMO chief Howard Webb reached out directly to Forest to concede that Salisbury ought to have reversed his initial ruling.
Webb expressed regret for the mistake, which brought an end to Forest's impressive eight-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League.
Referee Michael Salisbury stood by his decision to award the goal despite VAR telling him to take another look
|GETTY
Cunha's second-half strike gave United a 2-1 advantage, but the goal's legitimacy was immediately questioned due to events in the build-up.
United forward Bryan Mbuemo clearly used his arm to control the ball before the goal was scored, prompting VAR officials to direct Salisbury to review the footage at the pitchside monitor.
The expectation was that the goal would be chalked off following the review.
Despite this guidance, the Lancashire referee determined that Mbuemo's handball was accidental and permitted the goal to stand.
Mbuemo subsequently netted United's third goal in the match, compounding Forest's frustration at the earlier decision.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville reacted with astonishment while providing commentary for Sky Sports, labelling the officiating "an absolute shocker in every single way."
"I think that's an absolute shocker in every single way!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 17, 2026
Gary Neville reacts to the referee overruling VAR to allow Cunha's goal to stand. pic.twitter.com/aulQv1eKt0
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira voiced his concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding handball decisions in the aftermath of the defeat.
"This is the doubt we have in the Premier League at the moment about these decisions," he said. "We don't know what is handball or not. (Set-pieces), we don't know what is a free-kick or not."
The Portuguese coach called for greater transparency and understanding of the rules, suggesting that a meeting between officials and managers would be beneficial.
Neville expressed his bewilderment at the lengthy review process, noting that VAR had clearly indicated the goal should be disallowed due to Mbuemo controlling the ball with his arm.
"The referee has gone over to the screen and overruled VAR. I can't believe what I have just seen, honestly," he said.
The pundit added: "We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions. That wasn't the time to do it."
"I think it's important to have a meeting and try to understand the rules, the decisions. In this moment, all managers have doubts about these decisions," Pereira added.