The head of Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), Howard Webb, has confirmed that Manchester United's second goal against Nottingham Forest on Sunday should have been disallowed.
Manchester United had just conceded an equaliser at Old Trafford when Matheus Cunha made it 2-1.
The Red Devils, who had already secured Champions League qualification, eventually won 3-2 and finished the season in third place in the Premier League.
Cunha's goal caused great controversy.
Teammate Bryan Mbeumo handled the ball, albeit unintentionally, and many thought the goal would be disallowed, despite the possibility that the ball might have initially touched another part of his body.
However, referee Michael Salisbury decided to allow the goal after reviewing the incident on the monitor, on the recommendation of VAR Matthew Donohue.
Former United defender Gary Neville called the decision "scandalous", while Webb was quick to publicly acknowledge the referees' error.
According to The Athletic, Webb personally contacted Nottingham Forest to admit that in that situation Salisbury should have changed the initial decision and disallowed the goal.
Although the sporting impact was minimal, as Forest had secured survival, coach Vitor Pereira and the club are not expected to rest easy after this admission.
Salisbury's decision not to change his decision after the monitor call was not unique, but it remains unusual, especially considering it happened at Old Trafford and in an incident that many fans believe would have been judged differently had it happened on the other side of the pitch.
According to Law 12 of the "Laws of the Game", it is considered an offence if a player touches the ball with his hand or arm and gains a direct advantage from that contact, even if the touch is accidental.
Although Salisbury could argue that Mbeumo's arm was not in an unnatural position and that he was not the author of the goal himself, the handball control directly influenced the action that led to the goal.
Howard Webb's admission now confirms that the referee, after reviewing the footage, should have disallowed Manchester United's goal./Express newspaper/
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