Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim dismissed solutions that he must strengthen his goalkeeping choices, regardless of Altay Bayindir’s pricey error within the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the Premier League’s opening weekend.
Bayindir, most popular forward of Andre Onana at Previous Trafford, did not cope with a nook from Declan Rice which allowed Riccardo Calafiori to go in the one aim of the sport.
Onana, who had missed pre-season with a hamstring problem, returned to full coaching final week however was not included within the squad.
Amorim, nevertheless, stood by his goalkeeper when questioned after the match.
“I’m pleased with the three goalkeepers,” mentioned Amorim. “He [Bayindir] chooses to get the ball, however he’s getting pushed. That’s my feeling once I see the play.
“You select to push a participant [out of the way] or to get the ball in that second. He wants to make use of his palms to catch the ball, not push gamers. He chooses to push gamers and let the ball cross.”
The choice to begin Bayindir got here as a shock, significantly as Amorim had confirmed on Friday that Onana was match to function. However he insisted the Cameroonian was not “dropped.”
“I didn’t drop Onana from the squad,” Amorim mentioned. “It’s not the case of dropping Ornana. It’s not placing Andre Onana in only one week with out seeing the sport, with out time, with coaching.
“Tom [Heaton] and Bayindir, in the course of the pre-season, they did a superb job.”
Regardless of the slender defeat, United created a number of good alternatives and have been arguably the stronger aspect for lengthy intervals. Patrick Dorgu struck the submit within the first half, whereas Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo pressured saves from Arsenal keeper David Raya.
“It’s that feeling that we performed higher,” Amorim mentioned. “We have been the higher crew, however ultimately we misplaced the sport. I’m actually pleased with the work that they placed on the sphere and that’s necessary to maneuver ahead.
“We proved immediately that we will win any sport within the Premier League, particularly towards a terrific crew like Arsenal, and we have been the higher crew.”
The match additionally highlighted potential adjustments in United’s attacking choices. Rasmus Hojlund, not noted of the squad solely, faces rising uncertainty over his future.
Studies in Italy have linked the striker, who joined United in 2023, with a transfer to Milan. Their sporting director advised Mediaset: “Hojlund is an efficient choice for us. We’re eager about him however in switch market you by no means know what may occur.”
In the meantime, new arrival Benjamin Sesko was launched from the bench towards the Gunners after being unveiled to the Previous Trafford crowd beforehand. Amorim prompt the pair are in direct competitors.
“It’s a combat for locations,” Amorim mentioned. “We’ll see what’s going to occur available in the market. There are totally different traits. Rasmus has the identical traits of Benjamin Sesko, so we have to select.”
