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Gary Neville labelled the decision to award Manchester United's second goal against Nottingham Forest a "shocker" after Bryan Mbeumo appeared to handle the ball in the build-up. Just moments after Morato had equalised following Luke Shaw's opener, United broke forward and found the net as Matheus Cunha fired home from close range.

However, as United's players celebrated in front of the Stretford End, referee Michael Salisbury was directed by VAR to take a closer look at the pitchside monitor over a potential handball by Mbeumo. The ball appeared to strike Mbeumo's right arm inside the penalty area as he attempted to swivel and get a shot away. After the United forward's effort was ultimately blocked, Cunha hammered in the rebound.

Neville was adamant the goal would be ruled out. "There is a clear handball...I would be surprised if this stands," the former United defender declared on Sky Sports co-commentary.

"Manchester United have stopped their celebrations. He almost wedges it in between the side of his body and his arm. If he scores, we know that goal gets disallowed. I would be furious if that goal was allowed.

"Vitor Pereira is right, he's almost caught it. I don't think that's a goal, he's handballed it, it's as clear as that. They have to intervene here. I don't understand why they were looking at that so many times.

"I could see that in real time from 60 yards away up in the sky here. It's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. It was from the very first second it happened."

Despite being instructed to review the incident again by VAR, Salisbury disregarded the recommendation and maintained his original decision, awarding United the goal.

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The Premier League Match Centre explained: "#MUNNFO - 55' After VAR review, the referee stuck with the original decision to award a goal to Manchester United.

"Referee announcement: 'After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental, therefore the final decision is goal.'"

And it's fair to say Neville was left astounded by the call, adding: "I think that's an absolute shocker in every single way. That is ridiculous. The VAR has been clear: the player has handballed it.

"He looked at it for three minutes and the referee has looked at it for another minute. I can't believe what I have just seen. That was handball. I don't know what to say."

Neville added: "We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions but that was not the time to do it.

"There will be nobody watching that games who plays football or who watches football who will think that goal should have been awarded. It feels obvious to disallow. He almost wedged the ball under his arm."

United proceeded to win 3-2, with Bryan Mbeumo scoring before Morgan Gibbs-White reduced the deficit for Forest with what turned out to be a consolation.