Ruben Amorim has sent a message to Altay Bayindir following his costly mistake for Manchester United against Arsenal. The goalkeeper’s error saw Riccardo Calafiori capitalise to bag the all-important goal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend of the new season.
After an inswinging corner from Declan Rice, Bayindir was put under pressure by William Saliba as he looked to punch the ball away – but the presence of the Frenchman saw him flap at the delivery. As a result, the ball found its way to Calafiori at the back post to nod home from close range.
Asked for his thoughts on the goal by Sky Sports, Amorim hinted that he felt his side were unfortunate not to have seen the goal chalked off for a foul by Saliba on Bayindir. He explained: “It’s more or less the same as what sometimes happened last year.
“For me, it’s not playing the ball. It’s protecting the guys that are attacking. I understand that we want goals, but when you’re touching the goalkeeper in that way, I think it’s hard. And especially to lose with a goal like this, I think it’s hard.”
Probed on whether he felt Bayindir should have been stronger to see off the challenge and punch the ball clear, Amorim defended the Turkish international, saying: “It’s hard to be strong when you have to push and you have to go for the ball.
“Sometimes you are pushing and then you don’t have more hands to go for the ball.
“We need to be stronger in that moment, but especially, we need to do the same thing (be physical) in the opposite side (of the pitch). We are not changing the rules, we have to adapt to the rules and today it’s hard to accept because I think we were the better team.”
Amorim went on to heap praise on his side for their performance, despite starting the campaign with a defeat. The Red Devils dominated proceedings at the Theatre of Dreams and limited Arsenal to very few chances, whilst squandering opportunities of their own in front of goal – with David Raya being forced into action on several occasions to deny United summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
