Gary Neville destroys Altay Bayindir for Arsenal goal: 'It's going to keep hurting Man Utd'

Gary Neville slammed Altay Bayindir for his role in Riccardo Calafiori's opening goal for Arsenal during Manchester United's Premier League opener on Sunday. The Italian defender capitalised from a corner after a weak parry by the Red Devils' goalkeeper.

The set-piece saw Ruben Amorim's men go behind at Old Trafford after making a promising start. Bayindir called for a foul following the incident due to pressure from Gunners defender William Saliba. While Calafiori and Arsenal's celebrations seemed somewhat muted, VAR did not feel the incident needed to be highlighted to referee Simon Hooper. And Neville simply believed that Bayindir's efforts were not strong enough to prevent a goal.

“It’s going to keep hurting United," said Neville from the commentary box. "The goalkeeper has got to be stronger. I think he will complain that he was fouled. He’s got a player in front of him, there’s a lot of pushing and shoving going on. I just think your goalkeeper has to be stronger.

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"Get that player out of the way. It’s Saliba. He’s not got his arms up, I don’t think he’s done anything wrong at all. Bayandir if anything has his arm on him. He just parries it, it goes through his hands. It’s definitely a goal. He’s just not strong enough.”

Clinton Morrison, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said simply: "Manchester United need to strengthen their goalkeeper. There are top goalkeepers around that are available and you're only as good as your goalkeeper."

Bayindir was given the nod in goal as Andre Onana missed out on Amorim's squad at Old Trafford. The former Inter Milan and Ajax star has been absent throughout pre-season due to injury but is now said to be fit.

Amorim noted that he simply wanted to keep faith in the players that had performed during pre-season. United's boss left the door open to Onana returning next week however.

He said: "We try to choose the best players for each game, so next week is a different life. This week, we chose these players. No (he is not injured), he’s recovered but the other guys did so well during pre-season, so I need to balance that."

Pre-match, Onana was seen in the tunnel alongside United forward Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international was also missing from Amorim's squad with a move possible for the forward this summer after Benjamin Sesko's arrival.

The new striker started the game on the bench after signing for the club a week ago. Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were given the responsibility of leading United's frontline.

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