Manchester United look ahead to Sunday, when the Reds take on Fulham at Craven Cottage, though Amorim’s choice of goalkeeper could spark a transfer domino effect.
After Manchester United’s promising start to the Premier League season last Sunday against Arsenal, the controversial take on the game was the way Arsenal scored the only goal of the match.
The Gunners have become renowned for their stellar set-pieces, and favoured goalkeeper Altay Bayindir fell victim to the overpowering Arsenal aerial threat.
During a battle with William Saliba, Bayindir failed to get a good enough hand on the ball to prevent the game-winning goal.
This caused dispute between the media as to whether Bayindir was good enough to be the Reds’ number one for the foreseeable future, and speculation continues as to who Rúben Amorim will pick in goal for Sunday, as André Onana returns.
Bayindir faces lack of faith ahead of Fulham
The Turkish number one has had a strenuous career in Manchester so far, signing in the same summer as Onana, who came with a lot of promise.
Bayindir struggled to shake Onana from the starting spot, despite numerous mistakes from the Cameroonian.
The 27-year-old has been playing recently after Onana’s uncertain future and various injuries, though now that the Cameroonian is fit, it has been reported that Bayindir could be dropped in favour of Onana against Fulham.
It has been reported by the Manchester Evening News that Onana starting over Bayındır against Fulham would “kill” the player’s confidence. This could well lead to Bayındır handing in a transfer request, which would help explain United’s pivot toward signing Lammens.
Despite being dropped from the starting lineup for the last game of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Onana is expected to stay this summer, which reiterates Bayindir’s unsettled future.
The BBC reports that United have not ruled out making more signings before the transfer window closes – but it would need players to be sold, indicating that Senne Lammens is on the radar for the club, and Bayindir is on the chopping block.
Onana and Lammens expected to share goalkeeper duties
With only one position available for the three goalkeeper names, one has to leave the club in order for the other two to thrive; that looks likely to be Baynindir.
However, the potential Lammens brings makes up for his departure; it is believed that the Belgian will provide more competition for Onana and may play more games.
Lammens had a fantastic season for Royal Antwerp last campaign, topping crucial stats for goalkeepers across Europe, particularly in the shot-stopping department.
Lammens was linked with Inter Milan earlier this window, and later Manchester City, who have struggled to agree terms with transfer-listed Gianluigi Donnarumma, emphasising his value as a quality future goalkeeper.
However, fans remain unsure whether he is the man to take the Reds to the next level, which highlights the importance of Onana as an alternative.
This extensive transfer saga is likely to conclude before the window shuts in September, with Bayindir expected to leave and Onana now expected to stay. Fans will be hoping for a solid number one to make United competitive again.
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