Manchester United 3-2 Nottingham Forest: Shaw 5, Cunha 55, Mbeumo 76; Morato 53, Gibbs-White 78
This is ultimately VAR in its full form: pointless joy-sucking forensics in a field of spontaneity and emotion, and today Manchester United were the beneficiaries. Next week it could be your team. But why do we have VAR again?
Here United’s second goal came after the ball was clearly controlled by Bryan Mbeumo’s right arm, before the Cameroonian had his shot blocked and Matheus Cunha seized on the spoils to curl into the bottom corner. Cue VAR taking two minutes to review play for a possible “clear and obvious” handball, and then sending referee Michael Salisbury to the monitor to see for himself.
Salisbury took another full minute to watch the replay, VAR whispering into his ears the whole time that it looked like a foul but that it was his decision. After three minutes Salisbury declares a goal, where even United fans would have ruled it out for a foul.
Again, why does football have VAR? Before it, we had controversies and clear errors. Now we have VAR and controversies and clear errors.
It threatened to swallow up an otherwise thoroughly entertaining game where United signed off their home campaign with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, mathematically sealing third place, and Bruno Fernande equalling the Premier League assist record with 20 this season.
The afternoon had the feel of an occasion before kick-off. Supporters serenaded Michael Carrick amid expectations he will remain in charge. But there was also Casemiro, who was making his last appearance at Old Trafford.
Once a Red…
❤️ @Casemiro
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 17, 2026
United struck early through Luke Shaw. Forest failed to deal with a loose ball in the box and Shaw reacted quickest, firing low into the corner for his first goal in more than three years and capping a season that has finally been free of the injury troubles that disrupted much of his recent career.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half after an excellent transition move sparked by goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The counterattack ended with Bryan Mbeumo rounding goalkeeper Matz Sels only to strike the post, before Casemiro dragged the rebound wide.
Forest were far from passive though, and Elliot Anderson led their charge. Here, the midfielder on United’s summer watchlist delivered a precise cross for Morato to head in the equaliser. But United restored their lead immediately through Cunha’s goal, VAR’s decision sparking confusion and fury among Forest players and staff.
The game was completely open in the second half, even more so as the game neared the end. Fernandes delivered a powerful low cross from the right on minute 76 for Mbeumo to convert after missing several earlier chances. United’s skipper failed to get the extra assist he needed to break the record but he could have had five, United’s profligacy and hard luck almost impossible to believe.
Forest were not a negligible force. Anderson was involved again as his delivery picked out Morgan Gibbs-White, who finished quickly to cut the deficit and set up a nervy ending. In the end neither side could score another goal and it was job done for United.
