United Show Grit at City Ground but VAR Row Clouds Forest Clash
There was plenty of drama at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest and Manchester United played out a thrilling 2-2 draw — a match that revealed both a shift in United’s mentality under Ruben Amorim and reignited debates about VAR’s use in football.
The game began with controversy almost right away. United’s opening goal came from a corner that, as replays later showed, probably shouldn’t have been awarded in the first place. The ball seemed to have just crossed the line moments earlier — only by a couple of inches — but the assistant referee’s view was blocked by the goalpost and the net. Within seconds, replays made it obvious to everyone watching that it should’ve been a goal kick to Forest. Yet play continued, the corner was taken, and Casemiro’s header put United ahead.
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Forest fans were furious, and understandably so. The frustration wasn’t only about this one moment — it was the second time in just two games that Sean Dyche’s team had been hurt by nearly identical officiating errors. Dyche later called for a rethink of how VAR is used, suggesting that factual decisions like whether the ball went out of play could easily be reviewed within seconds. He even compared it to cricket or tennis, where teams have limited challenges. “We all just want it right,” he said. “The fans want it right. I want to be talking about my team, not refereeing mistakes.”
But despite the controversy, the football itself told another story — one about resilience and growth in Manchester United’s new era. Under Amorim, the team showed a toughness that’s been missing in recent seasons. When Forest turned things around after halftime and scored twice in quick succession, United could’ve easily folded. Instead, they dug in, pushed forward, and found an equalizer through Amad Diallo’s stunning late volley.
Amorim himself admitted afterward that this match would’ve been a loss last season. “Yes, and by more goals,” he said frankly. But this time, the team refused to collapse. For a club still rebuilding confidence, that psychological shift might be as valuable as three points.
There were side stories too — the uncertain futures of Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo, who remained unused substitutes, watching from the bench as others fought for the result. Amorim explained that he didn’t want to disrupt the flow of a team growing in belief, though their situations may become complicated as the Africa Cup of Nations approaches and squad rotation becomes unavoidable.
In the end, both teams had reasons to feel frustrated — Forest for the officiating, United for not converting dominance into victory. But the draw felt like a fair outcome. What lingered after the final whistle was the sense that United’s mentality might truly be shifting… and that football’s technology debates are far from over.
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