Manchester United vs Arsenal: Altay Bayındır drops a clanger, goalkeeping crisis deepens at Old Trafford

Manchester United's goalkeeper Altay Bayindir (AP Photo)

Manchester United took the plaudits. Arsenal took the points. United lost their opening Premier League fixture at Old Trafford on Sunday because their goalkeeper, Altay Bayındır, dropped a clanger and stunk the place out. The club is bereft of an upgrade in that position, for Andre Onana is probably even worse. Earlier this year Nemanja Matic had called him “one of the worst goalkeepers in (Manchester United) history”. The bottom line is that, after spending north of £200m on new signings in the summer, United are back to square one. They finished 15th last term. They are currently placed 15th in the Premier League standings.

United’s two new signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, were enterprising, although they aren't world-class. Far from it. Striker has been the club's problem position and their new recruit, Benjamin Sesko, looked like Rasmus Hojlund 2. But United must sign a proper goalkeeper. If they don't do it, this season, too, is going to be a write-off.

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This defeat was on Ruben Amorim. Bayındır should have never played for United again after conceding a winner direct from a corner at Tottenham last December. But the manager refused to play Tom Heaton. At this rate, Amorim would be sacked by his goalkeepers — gone in November likely. The club made a big mistake by letting go of Dean Henderson, who should have been David de Gea's natural successor. They have been paying a heavy price.

Amorim sounded delusional at the post-match press conference, as he defended Bayındır. “When you touch in that way the goalkeeper, he needs to use his hands to catch the ball, not push players. Or if he chooses, push players plus let the ball past. If it’s allowed we need to do the same. He chooses to get the ball, so he cannot defend himself,” he said, adding: “Without VAR. With VAR, it's a foul.”

The manager was in denial. Deep down, he probably knows that his goalkeepers aren’t up to the mark. Now it's up to him to push the board to sign a new ‘keeper.

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Over the years, some great goalkeepers have donned the United shirt, from Harry Gregg to Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and de Gea. Both Onana and Bayındır are insults to those great servants of the club. At the turn of the century, United had a similar goalkeeping crisis, making do with the likes of Fabien Barthez, Roy Carroll and Tim Howard before Sir Alex Ferguson signed van der Sar. On the face of it, Amorim is too clever by half.