Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim swung into a firm defence of Altay Bayindir after his mistake dearly cost the team in their 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.
Bayindir makes costly blunder
Bayindir was at fault as Arsenal beat United 1-0 in their 2025/26 Premier League season opener. Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead in the 13th minute.
Declan Rice’s corner kick was headed in by Riccardo Calafiori, who took full advantage of some pitiful goalkeeping from Bayindir.
The Turkish shot-stopper was unable to get a strong hand to Rice’s delivery and was only able to parry it into the path of Calafiori, who made no mistake from close range.
United fought hard, dominated possession and fashioned a number of chances, but they were unable to find the finishing touch and eventually had to settle for a loss.
After the final whistle, Amorim spoke to reporters and backed Bayindir, insisting that the 27-year-old was impeded by William Saliba and so could not sufficiently challenge for the ball.
Amorim’s post-match remarks
On Arsenal’s goal, Amorim explained, “I think you can watch the goal [back]. I think it’s a lot to do a lot of things. In the corners, we need to do the same. But when you touch the goalkeeper that way, he needs to use his hands to touch the ball, not to push players. Or he could choose to push players and let the ball pass.”
“But then again, it’s the rules. If it’s allowed, then we need to do the same thing.”
“I’m saying that he [the goalkeeper] should choose to push the player or get the ball in that moment. So he chooses to get the ball, but he’s getting pushed, so he cannot defend himself. That is my feeling when I see the play. But then again, we need to do the same.”
Asked whether he considered starting Tom Heaton, a visibly baffled Amorim answered, “Why?”
When it was explained to him that Bayindir conceded a similar type of goal last season against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup, he said, “Without VAR! With VAR it is a foul. And then what happened in the next game? The next one…against Arsenal. Who saved the penalty? Who saved the game?”
“You don’t remember the game. I remember the game. Altay was unbelievable in that game! I considered everything and I chose Altay.”
Amorim insisted that he took plenty of positives from the game despite the defeat.
“Yeah, it’s that feeling that we played better. We were the better team but in the end we lost the game. But I’m really proud of the work that they put on the field and that is important to move forward.”
On whether Andre Onana being dropped from the team means that he is looking for a new goalkeeper, Amorim remarked, “No no, I didn’t drop Onana from the squad. I didn’t drop one of the other two from the squad. So it’s not the case of dropping Onana. It’s not putting Onana with just one week without seeing a game or time in training.”
“And like you said, Tom [Heaton] and Altay [Bayindir] during pre-season, they did a good job.”
Amorim continued, “I think we proved today that we can win any game in the Premier League, especially against a great team like Arsenal, and we were the better team, so I’m happy with the players.”
He emphasised, “I’m happy with the three goalkeepers.”
On Rasmus Hojlund, who was left out of the matchday squad amidst uncertainty over his future, Amorim told reporters, “It’s a fight for the places. We’ll see what is going to happen on the market. Different characteristics, so Rasmus has the same characteristics as Ben [Sesko]. Sometimes we need to choose.”
United are back in action on Sunday when they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
