Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche was left furious after Manchester United’s first goal at the City Ground in Saturday’s draw.
Manchester United drew 2-2 against Nottingham Forest in a game that had no shortage of drama.
While the Red Devils remain unbeaten in four games, Ruben Amorim will be disappointed that United were unable to stretch their win streak beyond three.
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Casemiro opened the scoring in the first half after officials awarded a corner, which was deemed controversial amid doubts over whether the ball had crossed the line.
United collapsed for the first five minutes of the second half when Forest took the lead after goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona.
Sean Dyche’s side proved difficult to break down in the second half, especially after implementing a low-block system to deal with United’s attacking threat.
Still, Forest weren’t able to prevent Amad Diallo from scoring the equaliser that secured a point for the visitors.
Ruben Amorim and Sean Dyche
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Sean Dyche angered by controversial decision in Man Utd draw
United were caught in the middle of a controversy in the 2-2 draw with Forest.
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In the build-up to Casemiro’s opener, United were given a controversial corner kick amid doubts over whether the ball went out of play.
Savona, who scored Forest’s second goal, chased the ball but appeared to trip over it on the line.
A corner was given by referee Darren England before Bruno Fernandes’ brilliant delivery was tucked away by Casemiro.
While replays did not conclusively show whether the ball had crossed the line, Forest boss Dyche is calling for changes to the rules of how VAR is used. The newly appointed manager claims his side conceded a controversial goal for the second game in a row.
“It’s not inconclusive,” Dyche told Sky Sports.
“I’ve seen it back. Apparently today, the assistant referee can see 78 yards away. It’s got to change. That’s two in a week. Two decisions that are not right have gone against us in a week.
“Yes, of course, we then have to deal with the situation which we didn’t do as well. But it is tough when there’s a lot of noise about corners at this club and then they give corners that aren’t corners.
“We had one last week, one this week. It’s very tough on the team to take decisions like that. We talk about the margins in football, we talk about VAR, why’s it not brought in?
“Last week, really poor decision, cross, goes in. This week, really poor decision, cross, goes in. Well get VAR on it then because it takes eight seconds to go ‘it’s in’ or ‘it’s out’.”
When asked what the officials said to Dyche, he replied: “They said ‘decision made’. I said, ‘that’s fine – but he’s 78 yards away, surely there’s got to be a benefit of doubt to the defender’.
“Why would you give it to the attacking team? I don’t understand. If there’s benefit of the doubt either way, why would you do that?
“I know the Premier League want more goals and fans want more goals, but at the end of the day that decides a lot. We’re fighting for our lives to get ourselves back up the table. Things like that, you don’t want them going against you.
“VAR, I don’t know why it’s not brought in for things like that, if it leads directly to a goal, which it did.”
🗣️ "It's happened two weeks on the trot, which is bizarre in itself"
"I can't understand it… I have a better view than the linesman"
Sean Dyche spoke at length about the decision to award Man United a corner in the lead-up to their first goal. pic.twitter.com/ObECSCozHi
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 1, 2025
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Morgan Gibbs-White complains over Man Utd goal
Gibbs-White told Sky Sports that the Forest dressing room was frustrated with the result, despite getting a surprise draw against United.
The 25-year-old admitted Forest gave away silly corners, but he questioned the referee’s decision to award United a corner kick before Casemiro scored.
“To get a point is good but the dressing room is frustrated not to get all three,” Gibbs-White said.
“We conceded two silly corners (from which they scored), I don’t think the first one was even a corner. From where I was standing, I was pretty far away, all the boys were saying at half-time the ball hadn’t gone out.
“It’s something that needs looking at because it has cost us two extra points today.
“It’s time to kick-on. We need to start getting more points.”