Amorim: Arsenal's goal should've been disallowed for 'clear' foul

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believed Arsenal's winning goal in the teams' Premier League match at Old Trafford on Sunday should have been disallowed for a "clear" foul in the buildup.

United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was put off by Arsenal defender William Saliba as an inswinging corner was delivered by Declan Rice in the 13th minute. As Saliba backed into Bayindir, the goalie flapped at the ball and only managed to knock it across the line toward Riccardo Calafiori, who nodded in from close range.

That ultimately secured a 1-0 win for Arsenal and Amorim was disappointed the goal was allowed to stand.

"I think it's clear," Amorim said. "Players are touching the goalkeeper without the idea of going for the ball. That is not allowed."

The Portuguese coach added: "It's protecting the attacking guy and saying that we want (more) goals. But when you are touching the goalkeeper in that way, I think it's hard."

United captain Bruno Fernandes said that in a meeting arranged ahead of the season, the Premier League said referees will call for more fouls if players are blocking opponents at set pieces and not looking at the ball.

"But we know they are just saying that," Fernandes said.

"Altay was saying the moment he goes to punch the ball, he gets a touch. But obviously we know in the Premier League, they don't give much in those type of situations."

Still, Amorim insisted his team's performance showed tangible signs of progress, even if it was not reflected in the final score.

"We need to win games but that was completely different to last season," he said. "We were the better team. In the end we lose the game, but really proud of the performance. We proved today we can win any game in the Premier League, against a great team like Arsenal."

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