Manchester United closed their home campaign with a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, a result that also maintained Champions League qualification and added a notable personal milestone for Bruno Fernandes. The match at Old Trafford came amid uncertainty around Michael Carrick’s long-term role, while a controversial VAR decision left Forest head coach Vitor Pereira questioning current Premier League refereeing standards.
Fernandes delivered the decisive creative touch again, as the midfielder’s cross for Bryan Mbeumo gave Manchester United breathing space and brought Fernandes level with the Premier League single-season assists record. Forest responded late through Morgan Gibbs-White, but Manchester United held on, leaving Forest frustrated by a key decision that went their way earlier in the second half.
Luke Shaw opened the scoring early for Manchester United, before Forest temporarily levelled through Morato soon after the interval. Matheus Cunha restored Manchester United’s lead and Mbeumo extended it, with Gibbs-White’s strike arriving too late to change the outcome. Key attacking contributions from Fernandes underpinned Manchester United’s attacking control across long spells of the contest.
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By creating Mbeumo’s goal, Fernandes reached 20 league assists for the season, matching the benchmark first set by Thierry Henry in 2003-04 and later equalled by Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20. Against Forest, Fernandes produced eight chances for team-mates and again acted as Manchester United’s main link in attack, driving the team towards another important result.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Fernandes joked about finally hitting the record after a long campaign of near-misses from Manchester United forwards. “They’ve been trying to score from my passes,” Fernandes, who created eight chances for his team-mates against Forest, joked to Sky Sports. “I’m very happy for the assist and for the win and to finish the season on a high. I got to 20 today, let’s see, we have one more game. It’s the highest I’ve done in the Premier League so I am very happy with it.”
Off the pitch, attention centred on Carrick’s position after guiding Manchester United to 11 wins in 16 league matches as interim head coach. That sequence stabilised a difficult season and confirmed Champions League football for next year. Reports during the week suggested the 44-year-old is close to agreeing a two-year deal to become permanent head coach at Old Trafford.
Carrick explained that Manchester United’s preparation for Forest was driven by a desire to deliver a strong farewell performance at Old Trafford rather than discussions about contracts. “Over the coming days, there’ll be clarity on the situation,” said Carrick. “I think it was a case that today was important about the game and getting the right result, and some individuals as well shining, so whatever the news is going to be, I’m sure you’ll get clarity in a few days.”
The interim head coach highlighted the need to maintain intensity at the end of a long Manchester United campaign. “We were really conscious of trying to finish on a bit of a high.We’ve made some really good strides as a team and as a club. It’s easy to get to this stage and, being part of it myself, that extra spark’s not there, so I think to finish like we did for so many reasons was a good day for us.”
Manchester United match controversy and VAR decision
The main point of contention arrived with Cunha’s goal for Manchester United, which appeared at first to be ruled out for a handball by Mbeumo in the build-up. After a VAR review, referee Michael Salisbury allowed the goal to stand, judging that the decisive control of the ball occurred after it had struck the body, not the arm, despite Forest protests on the pitch.
Forest head coach Pereira strongly disagreed with the interpretation and argued that the current situation leaves several Premier League managers unsure about how handball is applied. Pereira said: “It was a pity a game was decided on a decision I must accept, but it is not my opinion.For me, it is handballveryclear, but he [the referee]decides not to cancel the goal. Hethinks that the control was after the touch on the body.I must accept, but it is not my opinion because I watched the images. He controls with his hands and the ball comes from the control.If not,he will not have chance to shoot. This is the doubt we have in the Premier League at the moment about the decisions. I think it is important to have a meeting with everybody and try to understand the rules, the decisions.I think everybody, all the managers, they have doubts about some decisions.”
The sense of grievance from Forest contrasted with the mood inside Old Trafford, where Manchester United supporters celebrated both the Champions League return and Fernandes’ statistical landmark. The club also highlighted the playmaker’s achievement on social media during the evening.
For Manchester United, the win over Forest ties together several themes from the season under Carrick. The team secured Champions League qualification, ended the home schedule with a positive result, and saw Fernandes reach a record-equalling assist total, while discussions over Carrick’s future and wider Premier League refereeing debates continue into the final week.
Story first published: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 23:07 [IST]
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