Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim dismissed recommendations 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Bayindir, most popular forward of Andre Onana at Outdated Trafford, didn’t cope with a nook from Declan Rice which allowed Riccardo Calafiori to go in the one objective of the sport.
Onana, who had missed pre-season with a hamstring concern, 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 after 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 move.”
The choice to begin Bayindir got here as a shock, notably as Amorim had confirmed on Friday that Onana was match to characteristic. 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, throughout the pre-season, they did a superb job.”
Regardless of the slim defeat, United created a number of good alternatives and have been arguably the stronger aspect for lengthy durations. Patrick Dorgu struck the publish 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 workforce, however in the long run we misplaced the sport. I’m actually happy with the work that they placed on the sphere and that’s necessary to maneuver ahead.
“We proved right now that we will win any recreation within the Premier League, particularly towards a terrific workforce like Arsenal, and we have been the higher workforce.”
The match additionally highlighted potential modifications in United’s attacking choices. Rasmus Hojlund, disregarded of the squad completely, faces rising uncertainty over his future.
Experiences in Italy have linked the striker, who joined United in 2023, with a transfer to Milan. Their sporting director informed Mediaset: “Hojlund is an effective possibility for us. We’re serious 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 Outdated Trafford crowd beforehand. Amorim steered the pair are in direct competitors.
“It’s a struggle for locations,” Amorim mentioned. “We’ll see what’s going to occur out there. There are completely different traits. Rasmus has the identical traits of Benjamin Sesko, so we have to select.”
