'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

BOY ARRESTED OVER SOCIAL MEDIA ABUSE SENT TO ARSENAL STAR KAI HAVERTZ AND PREGNANT WIFE AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED DEFEAT

Police have arrested a teenage boy in connection with social media abuse sent to Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and his pregnant wife earlier this month, following the club’s exit to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

The forward, 25, missed a chance to win the game in normal time and then had his penalty saved by United's Altay Bayindir in the shootout on January 12.

His partner, Sophia – who is expecting her first child with the Germany international – reposted two abusive messages she had received on social media platform Instagram.

Arsenal then tasked data technology company Signify with determining the identity of the abusers and a police investigation was launched, the Mirror reports.

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "A 17-year-old boy from St Albans has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communications. He has been bailed while enquiries continue."

Sophia described one message as 'shocking' and urged her half-a-million followers to be 'more respectful'.

"For anyone to think it's okay to write something like this is so shocking to me. I hope you are so ashamed of yourself," Sophia wrote online as she shared the messages..

Speaking prior to his side's Premier League clash against Tottenham at the Emirates last week, manager Mikel Arteta warned of 'terrible consequences' if action was not taken.

- James Holt

I'M REALLY HAPPY WITH KOBBIE - RUBEN AMORIM

Ruben Amorim insisted he wants to hang on to Kobbie Mainoo amid speculation Manchester United are willing to offload the teenage midfielder this month.

Mainoo still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract but United have little wiggle room to buy players in the January transfer window because of profit and sustainability (PSR) regulations.

It has been reported United are prepared to listen to offers for anyone in their squad and, as a homegrown player, the sale of Mainoo, who has been linked with Chelsea, could significantly help the balance sheet.

Kobbie Mainoo has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford (Peter Byrne/PA)

But while Amorim did not offer any guarantees, the United head coach, whose side take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, indicated his main focus is on retaining his key figures at Old Trafford.

“My players are always my favourites, I really love my players and I want to keep them, especially the talented ones,” Amorim said. “I’m really happy with Kobbie – he is improving.

“Our idea is always to keep the best players. We know the position that the club is in this moment. I’m very happy and I really like our players, especially the guys from the academy.”

While 19-year-old Mainoo is growing into an increasingly important figure under Amorim, Marcus Rashford, another academy graduate, has been marginalised since the Portuguese took control of United.

Rashford last month admitted he was ready for a “new challenge” and the latest reports surrounding his future suggest he could be loaned to West Ham for the remainder of the season.

Marcus Rashford has been linked with West Ham (Martin Rickett/PA)

Asked whether Rashford, who was absent for last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool because of illness but is available to face the Gunners, still has a future at United if he is loaned out, Amorim was guarded.

“We will see,” Amorim said. “Let’s focus on the game.”

United arrested a three-game losing run by collecting a point at Anfield but they are still nervously looking over their shoulders in the Premier League, sitting 13th in the table, seven points above the drop zone.

They will briefly put aside their top-flight problems this weekend, although they have been given a stern first outing as defending FA Cup champions with a trip to 14-time winners Arsenal.

“I will choose the best team to win because we want to win the cup,” Amorim, who confirmed Altay Bayindir will feature ahead of regular goalkeeper Andre Onana at the Emirates Stadium, said.

Altay Bayindir will start against Arsenal (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We are in a difficult moment, we are improving. We have won some cups and we want to continue and we know at this stage we have a really strong match that we want to win.”

United go into the clash having lost their last four matches against Arsenal, who eased to a 2-0 win over Amorim’s side last month courtesy of goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.

Amorim highlighted Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as one of their instrumental performers.

“I think he’s really special,” Amorim added. “His influence on Arsenal is impressive. When he’s playing, Arsenal is a different team but they can win and lose with or without Odegaard.

“I expect a strong team. If Odegaard is in their team, they will be stronger, for sure.”

- David Charlesworth, Pa