IT was the same old story for Manchester United against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Red Devils, to their credit, played a team of supposed title challengers off the park at Old Trafford on their opening day.
However, weak goalkeeping from Altay Bayindir from a corner that allowed Riccardo Calafiori to nod home at the far post proved decisive in the result of the match.
The attacking aspect of United’s play was much improved compared to last season, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha looking particularly impressive.
But a stoic defensive display from Arsenal – the team with the best defensive record in the Premier League last season – ultimately left Ruben Amorim’s side frustrated.
Ironically it was the display of Gunners shot-stopper David Raya that showed why United transfer chiefs should be going all-in to try and sign a new goalie as his Man of the Match display allowed Mikel Arteta‘s side to escape with three points.
The most notable name available on the market for United is Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Reports suggest Donnarumma, who has been cast out from the French club by Luis Enrique, is available for around £40million, but wants a 50 per cent rise on his current £210,000 per week wages.
United sources have categorically denied any interest in the Italian, who was in net during PSG’s epic run to their first-ever Champions League victory last season, but that is a head-scratching decision given what was seen by fans at the weekend.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a particularly good game in the two semi-final legs against Arsenal, while England fans are more than familiar with his big-game prowess thanks to his saves in the shootout of the Euro 2020 final.
Following United distancing themselves from any deal, Donnarumma has been linked to cross-town rivals Manchester City, though those talks are tentative at this stage.
After splashing £200m on a new-look attack – including Benjamin Sesko who started on the bench against Arsenal – United are now in sale mode.
They are yet to find buyers for any of their bomb squad, with only Marcus Rashford departing on loan to Barcelona.
It goes without saying that United need to sell mega-money flops Antony and Jadon Sancho, while Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia also do not have a future at the club.
However, the arrival of Sesko – and his total omission from the United squad against Arsenal – indicates Rasmus Hojlund’s future lay away from the club.
The same could be said for Andre Onana, despite Amorim’s insistence that he is “happy” with his current selection of three goalkeepers including Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
Onana, 29, missed all of pre-season with a hamstring injury two days after returning to training, but managed to be available for selection for the Premier League opener.
What did we learn about Man Utd in Arsenal defeat?
MANCHESTER UNITED have splashed the cash this summer but that couldn’t prevent an opening day home loss to Arsenal.
Here are SunSport Manchester United reporter Martin Blackburn’s key takeaways from the narrow 1-0 defeat vs the Gunners.
No 1 ISSUE
UNITED have been linked with Gianluigi Donnarumma and David de Gea in recent weeks, and surely they will sign a keeper before the window shuts.
Ruben Amorim has faith in Andre Onana — even if a lot of the fans do not — but he did not consider him ready to start here.
The Cameroonian has missed the whole of pre-season with a hamstring injury. So Altay Bayindir, who has played throughout the build-up to the season, got the nod — and ended up costing his team the game.
He should have been stronger under pressure from William Saliba and flapped a corner on to the head of Riccardo Calafiori.
Bayindir has had problems with set-pieces before.
Amorim and sporting director Jason Wilcox have two weeks to come up with a solution before the end of the transfer window.
NO GOALS — AGAIN
UNITED mustered just 44 goals in the Prem last season — and here they were starting with a blank again.
The Red Devils have spent £200million sprucing up their forward line this summer, and there were encouraging signs from Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
But new £74m centre-forward Benjamin Sesko stayed on the bench until the 65th minute.
On a couple of occasions before then there were crosses into the box but nobody there to put them away.
Amorim said on Friday he believes Sesko can be United’s No 9 for many years to come — and that is why they spent so heavily on him.
So it seemed a strange call to leave him on the bench for so long. Clearly the fans agreed as he was given a huge ovation when he arrived.
A couple of late half-chances went begging but the Slovenian did enough to show he will be a threat.
MIDFIELD STILL AN ISSUE
UNITED have abandoned their bid to land Carlos Baleba at least until next summer because of Brighton’s asking price.
There is an interest in Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand, while United are one of several clubs who admire Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.
But there is a chance they will not sign another outfield player, and fans will be worried about the options in midfield.
Casemiro was excellent in Europe last season but did not have the same impact in Prem matches, while we are still waiting to see the best of Manuel Ugarte.
United are going to be more exciting to watch this season — that is clear already — but will they still have a soft centre?
Amorim decided against naming him in the squad, but said: “I didn’t drop Onana from the squad. I didn’t drop one of the other two from the squad.
“It is not putting Andre Onana with just one week, without seeing a game, without time training…
“We prove today that we can win any game in the Premier League especially against team like Arsenal. I’m happy with the players. I’m happy with the three goalkeepers.”
However, the sale of those six aforementioned stars could be what gives the club the financial wriggle room to move for Donnarumma.
Between them, these six players earn £685,000 a week, meaning that successfully shifting them would free up around double what is needed for Donnarumma’s desired wage.
SunSport has exclusively revealed that Inter Milan are considering a shock swoop to bring Onana back to the San Siro.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are interested in a deal to sign Garnacho – who United want at least £50m for – but have seen a deal stalled due to their high valuation of Christopher Nkunku.
Sancho is waiting for other clubs to submit proposals before the end of the window after he turned down AS Roma, while Hojlund is also being monitored by AC Milan and Newcastle.
Following a successful loan spell at Real Betis last season, clubs are keeping tabs on Antony, with Betis and clubs in Saudi Arabia being linked with a move.
Of course, United will look to whittle down any Donnarumma deal to a number to match their wage structure, but in terms of wishful thinking for the Red Devils faithful it may free up more funds as they eye a new midfielder.
With Brighton’s £100m+ rated Carlos Baleba no longer on the table, SunSport looked at five alternative targets who are similar to the 21-year-old.
These options include Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand, who United could turn their attention to this window, as exclusively revealed by SunSport last week.
League games against Fulham and Burnley are now must-win for United before the first international break, while beating Grimsby in the League Cup second round will also be an important step in the right direction.
Man Utd’s transfer deals
IN
- Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
- Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
- Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
- Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
TOTAL – £214.5m
OUT
- Victor Lindelof – released
- Christian Eriksen – released
TOTAL – £0m
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