BRAYN STORMMANCHESTER. – Even in inconsequential, end-of-season fixtures when the sun is out and an inflatable beach ball is flying around, VAR still dominates. Manchester United’s second goal against Nottingham Forest and referee Michael Salisbury’s call not to rule it out will merely fuel the visitors’ already staunch paranoia about Premier League officiating. Forest, who saw it fit to post their grievances on X and once enlisted Mark Clattenburg as a refereeing consultant, were incandescent with rage that Matheus Cunha’s strike stood. The ball undeniably struck Bryan Mbeumo’s hand before his shot was blocked and Cunha tucked away the rebound. Salisbury gave a goal but was advised to consult the pitchside monitor. After a three-minute wait, he stood by his call. The official explanation was that Mbeumo’s handball was “accidental” yet most handballs are. Gary Neville, on co-commentary, was heckled by Forest fans and remains banned from the City Ground. He was astonished that Cunha’s strike was not chalked off. Cue the now familiar rendition of “Premier League, corrupt as f**k” from the visiting section. All subsequent refereeing decisions that went Forest’s way were greeted with sarcastic cheers. The Forest fans then chanted, “Are you Celtic in disguise?” – a reference to the unbelievable VAR call the Scottish champions benefited from at Motherwell in midweek. Even on a day that Bruno Fernandes equalled Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s Premier League assists record for a season, VAR will dominate the fall-out. – The Sun

MANCHESTER. – Even in inconsequential, end-of-season fixtures when the sun is out and an inflatable beach ball is flying around, VAR still dominates.

Manchester United’s second goal against Nottingham Forest and referee Michael Salisbury’s call not to rule it out will merely fuel the visitors’ already staunch paranoia about Premier League officiating.

Forest, who saw it fit to post their grievances on X and once enlisted Mark Clattenburg as a refereeing consultant, were incandescent with rage that Matheus Cunha’s strike stood.

The ball undeniably struck Bryan Mbeumo’s hand before his shot was blocked and Cunha tucked away the rebound. Salisbury gave a goal but was advised to consult the pitchside monitor. After a three-minute wait, he stood by his call.

The official explanation was that Mbeumo’s handball was “accidental” yet most handballs are.

Gary Neville, on co-commentary, was heckled by Forest fans and remains banned from the City Ground. He was astonished that Cunha’s strike was not chalked off.  Cue the now familiar rendition of “Premier League, corrupt as f**k” from the visiting section. All subsequent refereeing decisions that went Forest’s way were greeted with sarcastic cheers.

The Forest fans then chanted, “Are you Celtic in disguise?” –  a reference to the unbelievable VAR call the Scottish champions benefited from at Motherwell in midweek.

Even on a day that Bruno Fernandes equalled Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s Premier League assists record for a season, VAR will dominate the fall-out. – The Sun