MANCHESTER: Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney have issued a stern warning to their former club after their defeat in the opening Premier League match at Old Trafford.
United lost 1-0 to Arsenal due to a big mistake by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who was the choice of his manager, Ruben Amorim, over Andre Onana.
Bayindir failed to keep out Declan Rice’s corner before Riccardo Calafiori headed in from close range.
Amorim tried to defend Bayindir by claiming that his goalkeeper was fouled during a corner kick situation, but Neville and Rooney were clearly not satisfied and urged United to act immediately before the transfer window closed.
Neville named two high-profile goalkeepers – Emiliano Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma – as the best options to strengthen United’s goalkeeping.
Martinez, a World Cup winner with Argentina and Aston Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper, has been linked with a £40 million move.
Donnarumma, meanwhile, was sidelined at PSG by Luis Enrique and is reportedly interested in moving to the Premier League.
Speaking on the Sky Sports podcast, Neville said: “There is a big issue that cannot be ignored. United need to find a goalkeeper.
“Since the Schmeichel and Van der Sar era, United have become like a circus with many goalkeepers coming and going. It needs to be resolved either with a permanent purchase or a loan.
“Martinez and Donnarumma are not only the best in Europe, but they have big personalities and strong characters.
“Donnarumma was Italy’s hero in the European Championship final, and Martinez was a world champion. They’re used to playing under immense pressure. United need that.
“I repeat, this position requires personality, stability and confidence. Otherwise, United will continue to leak and lose points.”
Rooney, via his own podcast, also stressed the need to bring in Donnarumma.
“He’s only 26, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. I remember when we had Roy Carroll and Tim Howard, the defense didn’t trust them. Van der Sar came in and everything calmed down.
“Onana is a great goalkeeper, but last season he didn’t give us full confidence. Donnarumma is one of the best in the world, it would be crazy if United didn’t try to get him,” said Rooney.
The goalkeeper issue is expected to continue to be a hot topic ahead of United’s visit to Fulham this weekend.
The club is also considering bringing back David de Gea, 34, who is currently with Fiorentina and has a low-value release clause in his contract.