Roy Keane has criticised Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir over his role in his side’s loss to Arsenal – though fellow pundit Micah Richards did not share the same view.
United slipped to defeat in their opening match of the season against Mikel Arteta’s side, with Ricardo Calafiori heading home the decisive goal.
The Italian defender was able to nod in after Bayindir managed to punch the ball but failed to clear convincingly, leaving questions over the Turkish shot-stopper’s command of his area.
‘That’s part of the goalkeeper’s job,’ Keane fumed on Sky Sports. ‘It was shot stopping, but that’s about taking command of your area and also letting your own defenders not going.’
The former United captain doubled down on his criticism, adding: ‘Lads, if it does come into this area where it came in to force the ball, I’ve got it. I’ve got it. Listen, if something else happens that we react to it, but if that comes into me, I am favourite for it.’
‘He’s what, 6’2, 6’3, and he ends up on his heels. And he’s getting bullied. Why don’t you bully the other lads? Why don’t you come and punch it and go. If you come near me, listen, on. I’ll take your head off as well.’
Roy Keane (left) criticised Man United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir over his role in Arsenal’s goal – but Micah Richards did not share the same view.
Ricardo Calafiori headed home the decisive goal as Arsenal claimed victory at Old Trafford
Keane insists Bayindir should have done much better to command his area
Richards disagreed with Keane’s assessment, arguing that Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt could have done more to support Bayindir.
The former Manchester City defender said: ‘I mean, the conviction in it is there, his experience, similar situation, isn’t it, really? But if you look on there, who’s he got defend him a little bit more? He’s got Gabriel, where on the other side it was Mount.’
He continued: ‘So if you look at the balance between Saliba and Mount, at the time, he’s getting ragdoll everywhere.
‘I just thought De Ligt could have come inside and Mount could have gone outside. But in terms of the goalkeeper making that decisive decision, it was a really good punch. But if you just look here, Mount and Saliba… it’s difficult.’
Keane was quick to respond, returning to his critique of Bayindir: ‘But look at the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper’s not even aware of him. Goalkeepers on his heels and no, he starts moving. He should be on his toes, bouncing, going. No, you’re going to come in and be a nuisance. Saliba is doing very little too.’
Richards shot back: ‘The job of that player in that role there is to protect the goalkeeper so he can come and punch it.’
When host David Jones asked whether a foul was involved, Keane fired back with sarcasm: ‘He should go and play chess.’
Fans were quick to notice Daniel Sturridge sitting between the pair, smiling and even laughing as Keane and Richards debated fiercely, clearly amused by the on-air discussion.
Fans were quick to notice Daniel Sturridge smiling and laughing as Keane and Richards debated fiercely
One said: ‘Sturridge is loving being stuck in tween meeks and Keane’, with laughing emojis.
Another wrote: ‘Lmaooooo this argument between Keane and Micah.Sturridge is having a good time’.
A third added: ‘Danny sturridge loves this Keane/ Richards argument.’