Manchester United have been handed a transfer truth after reports suggested that they were close to a goalkeeper signing, giving Amorim a difficult decision ahead of the Fulham clash.
Manchester United visit Craven Cottage for their second match of the Premier League season, after narrowly losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the opening fixture.
Despite looking the better side throughout the game, Rúben Amorim’s side failed to penetrate David Raya’s goal and lost the game due to an error from Altay Bayindir.
The Turkish shotstopper couldn’t handle the pressure from William Saliba during Declan Rice’s corner kick, and Riccardo Califiori was on the line to nod the ball home.
André Onana was fit to start the game, as Amorim again confirmed today, but wasn’t selected in the matchday squad, with Bayinidr, Tom Heaton and Dermot Mee the three goalkeepers training before the match.
While Onana is expected to return to the starting lineup against Fulham, it isn’t guaranteed, as United appear to be pursuing another goalkeeper, with Bayindir still available to start.
Lammens will not sign before Fulham
With Bayindir starting over Onana in the first game, a goalkeeper signing seemed like it could be close, with the Cameroonian potentially heading for the exit door. However, Chris Weeler has suggested otherwise.
United’s first-choice goalkeeper target appears to be Senne Lammens, as Fabrizio Romano reported that the Red Devils were in “active talks” to sign the Royal Antwerp shotstopper, but competition would be fierce with Inter Milan also interested.
Now, Chris Weeler of the Daily Mail has reported that “there’s nothing imminent” regarding an agreement between United and Antwerp for Lammens, meaning he won’t be available for the Fulham game.
The journalist also revealed that Onana is expected to stay at United, even after being dropped for the opening day clash against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Who will start in goal against Fulham?
In the pre-match press conference for the Fulham match, Amorim again confirmed that Onana was available for selection last weekend, and he chose to start Bayindir ahead of him.
With Bayindir’s error, the manager will have to make the difficult decision whether to stick with the former Fenerbache shotstopper or put Onana back in goal; some reports have suggested the latter.
Read More: Manchester United hit with immediate transfer blow after “dream” Rúben Amorim move became impossible
“We need to try to analyse the opponent and put the best set up to protect the goal in set-pieces.” said Amorim when asked about Bayindir’s mistake that caused the Arsenal goal.
“We do it all the time and will not change because of the last goal. We need to do the same thing to the opponent.”
The United manager has chosen to keep his cards close to his chest in relation to the goalkeeper situation, not giving anything away to Marco Silva’s side ahead of Sunday.
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