Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest: PGMO Admits Error in Allowing Matheus Cunha Goal After Bryan Mbeumo Handball Manchester United secured a 3-2 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but the match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Matheus Cunha’s second goal. The decision to allow the strike, which came after Bryan Mbeumo’s handball, sparked debate among officials, pundits, and fans. Referee Michael Salisbury opted to overrule the VAR’s recommendation, a move that drew criticism from Sky Sports’ Gary Neville and Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira. The incident occurred in the 29th minute when Mbeumo, a Forest defender, appeared to control the ball with his arm before passing it to Cunha, who scored. The VAR reviewed the play and determined that Mbeumo’s contact constituted a handball offense, as the ball was deliberately handled before reaching Cunha. Despite this, Salisbury chose to leave the goal on the scoreboard, citing the handball as accidental. The PGMO, the Premier League’s refereeing authority, later acknowledged the error, with chief refereeing officer Howard Webb confirming the decision was a misjudgment. The handball rule, which has been a point of contention in English football, states that a player scores in the opponents’ goal directly from their hand/arm or immediately after the ball touches their hand/arm, even if accidental. However, the rule also allows for leniency in cases where the contact is deemed unintentional. The VAR’s assessment was that Mbeumo’s action met the criteria for a handball offense, but Salisbury’s on-field decision contradicted this. Gary Neville, who co-commentated the match on Sky Sports, expressed disbelief at the ruling. “That is a shocker in every way,” Neville said. “Honestly, that is ridiculous.#manchester_united #premier_league #nottingham_forest #matheus_cunha #bryan_mbeumo
PGMO Admits Handball Error on Manchester United Goal Against Nottingham Forest Manchester United’s second goal in Sunday’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed for handball, the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) has confirmed. The incident occurred when United forward Bryan Mbeumo’s arm made contact with the ball before he attempted to block a shot from a defender. Teammate Matheus Cunha then seized the loose ball and scored, but the goal was allowed despite the handball. The VAR, Matt Donohue, instructed referee Lee Salisbury to review the incident via the pitchside monitor. However, Salisbury concluded the handball was accidental and upheld his on-field decision to award the goal. The decision gave United a 2-1 lead in a match they eventually won 3-2. Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White criticized the ruling, stating, “From the angle I was standing at, it looked like he caught the ball. Whether he scores or not, for me it was still a handball.” He emphasized that the contact appeared deliberate, even if the goal was scored. Referees’ boss Howard Webb addressed the situation, explaining that while there could be justifiable reasons to rule the incident as non-handball, the expected standard in football is to disallow such actions. “A better decision, and one that would be expected, is for it to be disallowed,” Webb said. He noted that the Premier League’s approach to handball is more lenient, acknowledging natural player movements, but stressed that the VAR review should have been accepted.#matheus_cunha #bryan_mbeumo #morgan_gibbs_white #professional_game_match_officials #matt_donohue
Manchester United's Interim Manager Michael Carrick Is the Right Man for the Job, Says Amad Diallo Amad Diallo, the winger for Manchester United, has publicly urged the club to appoint Michael Carrick as their permanent manager, calling him the "right man" to lead the team. Carrick, who took over as interim manager following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January, has guided the club to seven wins in 10 matches, with only one defeat recorded during his tenure. Under Carrick’s leadership, United have climbed to third place in the Premier League, with seven games remaining in the season. The team’s strong performance has positioned them as strong contenders for a return to the Champions League next season. Carrick’s impact has been evident in the club’s recent results, with United showing resilience and tactical discipline in their matches. The former midfielder, who played for the club as a player, has brought a deep understanding of the squad’s dynamics and the club’s history. His ability to connect with players has been a key factor in the team’s improved performance. Amad Diallo, who has been a vocal supporter of Carrick, emphasized that the manager’s experience and familiarity with the club are critical to its success. “I think he’s the right man for the job,” Diallo said during a press conference on Tuesday. “He has a lot of experience, he knows the club, and he has the DNA of what we need. His relationship with every player is very good. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring the club where they belong. It’s not the players who decide, but my honest opinion is we’re really happy to have Michael Carrick as a manager.” Diallo’s comments were echoed by Bryan Mbeumo, the forward signed from Brentford last year.#manchester_united #premier_league #michael_carrick #amad_diallo #bryan_mbeumo
Cameroon: Bryan Mbeumo Ruled Out for International Break Bryan Mbeumo will not be available for the Indomitable Lions during the upcoming international break, marking a significant setback for the team ahead of the FIFA Series 2026 tournament. Manchester United has confirmed that the striker will remain in England to continue his recovery, preventing him from joining the squad for matches against Australia and China. This decision was made in collaboration with his club, which prioritizes his long-term fitness over international commitments. The absence of Mbeumo, a key attacking force for Cameroon, poses a challenge for head coach David Pagou. The player has been instrumental in the team’s recent performances, and his exclusion leaves a gap in the squad’s offensive capabilities. With the Indomitable Lions set to face two formidable opponents in the FIFA Series, the team will need to adapt quickly to compensate for his absence. Manchester United’s decision reflects a cautious approach to Mbeumo’s rehabilitation. The club aims to ensure he returns to full fitness for club duties, particularly ahead of the league restart. This strategy mirrors similar choices made by other clubs, such as the withdrawal of Slovenian forward Benjamin Šeško from international duty to focus on his recovery. Mbeumo is expected to be ready for the match against Leeds on April 13, but his availability for the tournament remains uncertain. The ruling out of Mbeumo highlights the delicate balance between national team obligations and club priorities. While the Indomitable Lions must navigate this setback, the situation underscores the broader challenges teams face in managing player health and tournament readiness.#manchester_united #bryan_mbeumo #cameroon #indomitable_lions #fifa_series_2026
Manchester United duo withdraw from international duty due to injury concerns Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo and midfielder Benjamin Sesko have been omitted from their respective national team squads for upcoming international fixtures. The club confirmed that Mbeumo will miss Cameroon’s matches against Hungary and Montenegro as a precaution following his early exit in the draw with Bournemouth on Friday. Sesko, who has been managing a recurring injury, will also sit out the games to allow time for full recovery. United released a statement explaining that Mbeumo’s absence is part of a careful management plan to address his ongoing fitness issues. The club emphasized that the decision prioritizes his long-term health, ensuring he is ready for future competitions. Sesko’s situation has been closely monitored, with the club stating that his recovery timeline is being closely tracked to avoid further setbacks. Meanwhile, defender Noussair Mazraoui has joined Morocco’s squad after recovering from a recent illness. Mazraoui’s return to international duty marks a positive development for the team, as he is expected to contribute to their preparations for upcoming fixtures. The decisions highlight the delicate balance clubs must strike between player development and competitive readiness. While Mbeumo and Sesko’s absences may impact their national teams’ depth, United’s approach underscores the importance of managing injuries to prevent long-term complications. The club’s focus on structured recovery plans aligns with broader trends in modern football, where player welfare is increasingly prioritized over short-term tactical gains. The pair’s absence also raises questions about their availability for the upcoming Premier League season.#manchester_united #morocco #benjamin_sesko #bryan_mbeumo #cameroon
International call-ups latest for March break Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has recovered from an illness and will join Morocco’s squad ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay. Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo has been ruled out of Cameroon’s squad for the friendlies against Australia and China as a precautionary measure following his substitution in the 71st minute of Friday’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Both Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have been forced to withdraw from international duty, with Sesko missing Slovenia’s matches against Hungary and Montenegro to fully recover from an ongoing injury issue managed by the club. The international break coincides with critical World Cup play-off fixtures, as the final qualification spots for the upcoming tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico are set to be decided in the coming weeks. National teams are finalizing their preparations for the event, while domestic league action temporarily pauses. Manchester United’s squad, managed by Michael Carrick, will not return to competitive fixtures until Monday, 13 April, when they host Leeds United at Old Trafford in a 20:00 BST kickoff. Additional updates include details about Harry’s red-card incident, which delayed his path to a career milestone, and a poll to determine the Man of the Match from Friday’s draw against Bournemouth. The club also highlighted highlights from the match, featuring a 90-in-20 recap of the game at the Vitality Stadium. Gary Neville participated in a special session at Carrington, where season-ticket holders aged seven to 10 played with their idols, creating an iconic all-time United XI. The club also shared a behind-the-scenes look at the event, emphasizing its significance for young fans.#michael_carrick #benjamin_sesko #noussair_mazraoui #bryan_mbeumo #gary_neville
