Vitor Pereira
In a match that saw Nottingham Forest fall to Manchester United, manager Vítor Pereira voiced his frustration over a crucial decision that he believes influenced the outcome. The incident in question involved a potential handball by Bryan Mbeumo in the build-up to Matheus Cunha’s goal, which was ultimately allowed to stand after a VAR review.
Vítor Pereira said: “Crazy game, maybe a good game for the supporters, but for a manager it was an open game, especially in the second half. We concede a lot of counter attacks and they are dangerous on counter attacks. But I understand my team, they want to score goals, but in the end we concede a lot of spaces, we start to lose a lot of organisation and balance. They had chances to score, we had chances to score. In the end it was a pity a game was decided on a decision I must accept but it is not my opinion, for me it is handball, very clear but he decides not to cancel the goal.”
Vítor Pereira added: “He [the referee] thinks that the control was after the touch on the body, I must accept but it is not my opinion because I watch the image. This is the doubt we have in the Premier League at the moment about the decisions. There is a clear handball…I would be surprised if this stands.”
The Premier League Match Centre supported the referee’s decision, stating that after a thorough VAR review, the original decision to award the goal was upheld. However, Pereira remains unconvinced and is advocating for a meeting with PGMOL to address his concerns and seek clarity on the handball rule.
The match was characterized by its open play, with both teams having multiple opportunities to score. Pereira acknowledged his team’s attacking intent but lamented the loss of organization and balance that left them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Despite the defeat, Pereira’s main grievance remains the decision that he believes was a clear handball, highlighting the ongoing debate over VAR’s consistency in the Premier League.
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