Manchester United news as Altay Bayindir's role in Riccardo Calafiori's winner on Sunday is analysed
Riccardo Calafiori scored for Arsenal following Altay Bayindir of Manchester United's error
Riccardo Calafiori scored for Arsenal following Altay Bayindir of Manchester United's error
(Image: Getty Images)
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has agreed with the decision to allow Arsenal's winner against Manchester United on Sunday.
Riccardo Calafiori headed Declan Rice's cross into an empty net in the 13th minute after United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir failed to punch the ball away.
Replays of the goal showed William Saliba in close proximity to the goalkeeper near the goal line but the goal stood. Bayindir flapped at the corner to allow Calafiori a free header, similar to one he conceded at Tottenham last season.
"It's going to keep hurting United, the goalkeeper has got to be stronger," Gary Neville said in his analysis of the goal. "He'll complain that he's been fouled, there's a player in front of him, there's a lot of pushing and shoving.
"I think the goalkeeper has to be stronger, get that player out the way, Saliba hasn't got his hands up, I don't think he's done anything at all. It goes through his hands, it's definitely a goal, he's just not strong enough. The delivery is sensational and they just don't deal with it."
Roy Keane seconded Neville's verdict, insisting that Bayindir should have done much better. "Of course (needs to be stronger). Fair play to Arsenal, it's a great delivery and they're attacking it but if you're the goalkeeper just take control of the six yard box.
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"Goalkeepers and defenders complain all the time about players being in their face, you get in their face, take control of that six yard box. Complain all you want but the goalkeeper, be aggressive, it's your area, come with violence take control of it. Arsenal are very good at it but United [are] weak and soft."
There had been calls that Bayindir was the subject of foul play from Saliba with some suggesting the goal should have been disallowed. However, Gallagher has rubbished these claims.
"Not a foul, not a foul at all," he said on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch. "If anything the goalkeeper puts his hand on the player."
Jay Bothroyd, who joined Gallagher on Ref Watch, said Bayindir should have gone down if he thought it was a foul. Bothroyd added: "He hasn't been strong enough, he's caught out of position and that mistake has cost Man United the game. If he thinks it's a foul, go down, at least you've got a chance of winning a free kick. It's just poor, you need to be stronger."
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