Ruben Amorim got off to an uninspiring start in the Premier League after suffering a 1-0 loss against Arsenal.
In the lead-up to the opening game of the 2025/26 campaign, Amorim assured he is blocking out the noise in Manchester as he aims to right the wrongs of a disastrous end to the season last time out.
Manchester United recorded their worst league finish in history under the Portuguese boss as further misery was piled on top of the 14th-place finish in the Premier League with a loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
However, Arsenal took the lead at Old Trafford in the 13th minute after Riccardo Calafiori converted a trademark corner for the Gunners, which was allowed to stand after a quick VAR check.
Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal (L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
The Red Devils lacked a killer edge in front of goal despite new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo starting the clash.
But with Andre Onana missing the matchday squad, Altay Bayindir deputised in goal, and Roy Keane had plenty to say about the Turkish international’s performance.
Roy Keane urges Altay Bayindir to “take control” for Manchester United
When speaking live on Sky Sports matchday coverage, Keane laid into the goalkeeper after he was left floundering in the Manchester United penalty area as Calafiori scored the only goal of the game.
“The goalkeeper’s got to take control of that six-yard box. That’s the complaint. All you want is good delivery. You know you’re blocking, focus on the ball.
“But the goalkeeper—be aggressive. I’ve said it many times: for a goalkeeper, come with violence, come and be aggressive. That is your area. Take control of it. And actually, he’s already good at it.
“But Man United—weak and soft. Can they not just cope with Arsenal’s superior physicality?”
Altay Bayindir of Manchester United fails to save a header which leads to the first goal for Arsenal scored by Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Although Wayne Rooney believes United will secure Champions League football again this season, the side looked far off the pace at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, £74 million signing Benjamin Sesko was limited to a 25-minute cameo against Arsenal, struggling to make an immediate impact alongside his fellow newcomers.
Manchester United are looking to continue the spending in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window – TBR Football understands that Carlos Baleba is a priority target.
Ruben Amorim wants to sign a new goalkeeper
TBR Football exclusively reported that the Red Devils want to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma to replace Onana after the PSG goalkeeper was deemed surplus to requirements in Paris.
Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez is also high on the shortlist at Old Trafford. Onana has produced a catalogue of catastrophic errors throughout his spell in England, prompting Amorim to seek an upgrade between the sticks.
United will compete with Manchester City for Donnarumma, which could complicate matters for Amorim, as their cross-city rivals are capable of offering Champions League football to the Italian.
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Nevertheless, the goalkeeper position has been an ongoing problem for Manchester United, emphasised further by Bayindir’s display against Arsenal, with Micah Richards joining Keane in his criticism of the player.
“Yeah, I think that’s exactly it. They were thinking in this match with Saliba, and I know Arsenal play a lot of their balls sometimes to the back post. We’ve got De Ligt on the back post—really, him and Mount should have been switched on in that occasion.
“I think 76% of their crosses come to the six-yard box. And you can’t allow that to happen in the middle of the goal, because it just comes down to strength. And then the goalkeeper’s not strong enough.”