Man Utd
How a Disputed Corner and an Assistant’s Signal Sparked Fury After Forest 2–2 Man Utd
Dyche called the opening goal ‘farcical’ after Casemiro’s corner; VAR cannot review corners. period.
Manchester United’s opening goal in the 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest provoked a fierce reaction from the Forest camp after a corner was awarded that manager Sean Dyche described as “farcical.” Referee Darren England deferred to his assistant Akil Howson, who signalled for a corner from the opposite side of the pitch. Casemiro headed United in front from that set piece.
Dyche led the complaints, telling Sky Sports: “It’s not inconclusive,” and adding, “I’ve seen it back.” In his postmatch press conference he continued: “Of course you can argue about us dealing with it, but the point is it’s the wrong decision. What’s even worse is that the assistant referee has given it from 75 yards away, behind the view of the goal. Apparently he can see it.
“We can clearly see the ball hanging over the line. Whether it’s three-quarters or not is irrelevant, the fact is it’s not out. It’s really disappointing.” Dyche also called for VAR intervention, but video assisted officials at Stockley Park cannot rule on corner kicks.
There is ongoing discussion among the game’s lawmakers about extending VAR’s remit to consider second yellow cards ahead of next summer’s World Cup. Premier League referees chief Howard Webb has previously expressed reluctance to empower VAR even further; “less is more” is his preferred stance, making a change to review corners unlikely.
Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White added: “It’s something that needs looking at,” and, continuing the theme of recriminations, “it has cost us two extra points today.” Off the field, attention around United’s recent run — a three-match winning streak — drew further colour. That streak prompted scrutiny of Frank Ilett, the Red Devils fan behind The United Strand, who is recording his refusal to cut his hair until the club win five successive matches. United goalkeeper Senne Lammens recently admitted that Illett’s hijinks have perforated United’s dressing room.
Forest wingback Neco Williams posted on social media: “Deserved more than a point,” he wrote. “That trim might have to wait.” For United head coach Ruben Amorim the result was something to build on: “If I think about game, we lost control for five minutes,” he told Match of the Day. “I feel in the recent past if we had had this situation [going from 1–0 up to 2–1 down] we would have struggled so much more than today.
“My feeling is we played well but we dropped a little bit of energy. When we have the full energy we are the better team. My players are giving everything but we have the potential to do better.
“Sometimes we have these moments. In the end we lost two points and we need to get three points in the next game.”
Man Utd
Summer rumour round-up: United in talks, Real interest alters midfield chase
Transfer update: United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real, all linked to several possible moves.
A fresh set of transfer rumours has left several Premier League squads weighing options ahead of the summer window.
Manchester United are tracking multiple defensive and midfield targets. They have shown interest in Fulham left back Antonee Robinson, but concerns remain over his asking price of over $40.1 million (£30 million). United are also in advanced talks with Newcastle United over midfielder Bruno Guimarães, though Real Madrid’s emerging interest could derail a proposed Old Trafford move valued at $92.3 million (€80 million, £69 million).
On defensive options, Brentford centre back Nathan Collins is a concrete target for United after scouting by Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté may head to Saudi Arabia this summer when his contract expires if Real Madrid or Inter opt not to bid.
Chelsea’s recruitment focus includes Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as a preferred replacement for the unsettled Enzo Fernández. Another Chelsea midfielder, Andrey Santos, has attracted interest from Inter after being observed against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Several clubs are considering centre backs. Aston Villa are prepared to rival Chelsea for Lazio’s Mario Gila, whose fee would exceed $34.6 million (€30 million, £25.9 million). West Ham United want to sign Axel Disasi permanently but have balked at Chelsea’s asking price as the Blues seek to recoup about $43.6 million (£38 million).
Big-name scenarios continue to shift. Erling Haaland has decided he will leave Manchester City within the next two years, possibly as early as this summer, with Real Madrid unable to find space for him and Barcelona unable to afford the move. If Barcelona do not trigger their option to sign Marcus Rashford permanently, Arsenal will pursue the Man Utd loanee; Chelsea and Juventus are also interested and United say they will not renegotiate Barcelona’s current agreement.
Other reported links include Nottingham Forest striker Arnaud Kalimuendo being of interest to Aston Villa or Tottenham, Newcastle’s pursuit of forwards Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, potential departures Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento attracting Arsenal interest, Barcelona attempting a swap for Julián Álvarez, and Real Madrid ruling out moves for Rodri and Nico Schlotterbeck this summer.
Bournemouth
United Held to 2–2 at Bournemouth After Penalty Controversy and Defensive Lapses
United were twice pegged back in a 2–2 draw as a denied penalty and defensive lapses cost them badly
Manchester United were twice pegged back in a bruising 2–2 draw at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. The visitors led twice but left Dorset frustrated after a night defined by a denied penalty, a VAR review and avoidable defensive moments.
“Chess, that game of logic par excellence, consists of luck, luck and more luck.” The aphorism felt apt as events unfolded quickly and with little logic. Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot to put United ahead on the hour, but momentum swung within seconds after Amad Diallo had a strong penalty claim denied. Bournemouth reacted instantly as Ryan Christie prodded the hosts level in the same passage of play.
A mass of white shirts surrounded referee Stuart Attwell as the ball found the back of the net. A lengthy VAR review accepted the on-pitch decision despite an apparent tug by Adrien Trouffert on Amad. United looked unsettled thereafter and never fully regained control.
James Hill then inadvertently nodded the visitors back in front from a set piece, only for Harry Maguire to give away a penalty seven minutes later after tugging Evanilson to the ground. Bournemouth converted and restored parity.
Individual contributions were mixed. Bruno Fernandes was the standout with energy and end product, earning an 8.3. Matheus Cunha impressed (8.0) and Amad Diallo produced moments of quality and a strong penalty claim (7.5). At the other end, Harry Maguire was below his recent standards (5.7) and Leny Yoro was criticised for being slow to close Christie’s equaliser (7.0). Goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced routine-looking saves but could do little about the two goals (6.9).
The match statistics underlined the narrow margin: Bournemouth had 55% possession to United’s 45%, xG was 1.57 for the hosts and 1.77 for United, with 16 shots to 14 and five on target apiece. Passing accuracy favoured Bournemouth (85% to 78%).
“It’s not a total free-for-all” Carrick insisted when discussing United’s newfound attacking freedom recently. On this night, attacking intent was evident but so were costly lapses that left two points dropped.
Man Utd
Old Trafford rebuild: club sets timetable and next steps for on-site stadium plan
United plan to submit a planning application for a new Old Trafford; land purchase is pivotal timing.
Manchester United have outlined a clear timetable for a new stadium on the Old Trafford site, with a formal planning application expected within the next 12 to 18 months, by September 2027. The club regards a rebuild on the existing footprint as the preferred route, chosen over a complex redevelopment constrained by an adjacent railway or a move to a different Greater Manchester site.
The most significant obstacle remains the neighbouring freight depot, where rows of shipping containers stand around 200 meters behind the Stretford End. United’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, said that could be resolved “within the next couple of months,” allowing for “stage two” to commence.
Roche, speaking at a property event in southern France, explained that stage two, lasting seven months, is for a “more detailed design” to be put together. Only concept illustrations have been released so far. The eye-catching canopy in those images might still happen, having been rumored to be dropped, but only with the additional land purchase.
Roche said the club is working stages concurrently rather than waiting for each to finish. “When we get through [the design stage] we will come out with the planning strategy. But we are already starting to work as part of the wider master plan. We’re not starting then; we’ve already started now,” she said. “Hopefully by the time we get to the planning application, which will be probably in about 12 to 18 months, we’ll have had a lot of conversations.”
United have worked with Foster + Partners on the project since 2024 and have begun consulting construction firms. “We are not leaving that until further down the track. As a club we are already reaching out to the top partners we think we need to work with,” Roche said.
She added: “We will lock that in. Then we start to build the plans. It starts now. It will be phased. Everybody says ‘when will it be built?’ We’ve got to go through planning and that’s only phase one of the stadium.
“We’ve got to decide what we are going to do with the current Old Trafford. This is not going to happen overnight but we are getting those relationships in place, ready to go and hit the ground running very shortly.”
Ratcliffe previously estimated completion by 2030. The future stadium has already been included in the U.K.’s bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. An update from the club in March 2025 confirmed: “There is no suggestion United will be forced to relocate in the meantime.” Once the freight centre is vacated the site should be large enough for a new stadium while the existing Old Trafford remains in normal use; the original ground could later be demolished or adapted.
