'THIS IS BIG BOY STUFF' - ROY KEANE AND MICAH RICHARDS HAVE FURIOUS ROW IN STUDIO ABOUT MAN UNITED PLAYER

Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir prompted a huge clash between Roy Keane and Micah Richards after the Red Devils' loss to Arsenal.

The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in their Premier League 2025/26 season opener, with Bayindir left culpable for the winning goal.

Bayindir had a moment to forget for Arsenal's winner against United on SundayCredit: Getty

His error sparked a heated debate between Keane and Richards at full timeCredit: Sky Sports

Stand-in goalkeeper Bayindir was surprisingly named in the starting line-up by Ruben Amorim in place of Andre Onana.

The Cameroon international had not been expected to feature due to a hamstring injury suffered last month.

However, Amorim confirmed prior to the match that he had been available for the fixture.

His decision to start Bayindir instead backfired just 13 minutes in as the Gunners took the lead through Riccardo Calafiori.

A corner from Declan Rice caught the keeper off guard as the ball dropped under the crossbar with Bayindir only able to flap at it.

Surrounded by players from both sides, Bayindir was only able to palm the ball onto the head of Calafiori with the Italian nodding home from a yard out.

Following the match, Keane and Richards were involved in a heated debate about the goal in the Sky Sports studio.

The pundits failed to see eye-to-eye on the United keeper's decision-making for the goal.

As Richards attempted to explain his stance that Bayindir needed more protection from the Arsenal players by his teammates, Keane fumed: "Micah, this is big boy stuff."

He continued: "There's going to be mismatches. If they've got a lot more players bigger than you're leads, then you're going to be outmatched somewhere."

Bayindir was unable to claw away a Rice corner as Calafiori scored the winning goalCredit: Getty

Richards hit back by arguing: "But not in the centre (of the goal)."

Keane replied: "That's the goalkeeper, you can't babysit a goalkeeper."

His fellow pundit did agree on Bayindir's fault in the goal, though, admitting: "I agree with you that the goalkeeper should definitely do better.

"But I also believe he should be protected a lot more."

Why did Onana not play?

Amorim had been asked about his selection choice between the sticks prior to the match.

With Onana only returning to training days before the fixture, he opted against playing his first-choice goalkeeper despite him being available.

Meanwhile, veteran Tom Heaton was included on the substitutes bench ahead of him.

The Portuguese explained: "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."

Onana has not played for United since their post-season friendly against the ASEAN All-Stars in May.

Meanwhile, Bayindir made four pre-season appearances for the Red Devils.

Amorim's side are next in action away to Fulham next Sunday before a trip to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup on August 27.

- Ciaran Wiseman