Manchester United’s 0-1 loss to Arsenal in their Premier League opener came about after a goalkeeping howler from Altay Bayindir.
The Red Devils dominated the Gunners, but the Turk, who was culpable for quite a few high-profile errors last season as well, let his teammates down at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The club’s No.1, Andre Onana, was deemed too undercooked, and hence, Ruben Amorim handed his backup a start. After the game, the ex-Fenerbahce star rightfully came under fire, but the head coach backed him to come good.
There have been murmurs that the Portuguese tactician could bring back Onana in goal for this Sunday’s league clash against Fulham, which could dent Bayindir’s confidence.
One goalie to leave
Things could get a lot worse for the Turkiye international. News has emerged that the 20-time English league champions are close to signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp to provide competition to the Cameroonian.
And as per Fabrizio Romano, the Old Trafford side will have to move on one goalkeeper, should the Belgian be signed before the transfer window closes.
“Obviously, if Senne Lammens arrives, it means that maybe one goalkeeper has to leave this summer.
“Man Utd are advancing with the Lammens deal… They want to be fast.”
As revealed by The BBC, Onana is unlikely to depart, while Tom Heaton recently signed a contract extension and has been named as part of the new-look leadership group, which means he is also going nowhere.
That indicates the 27-year-old Turkish shot-stopper’s time in Manchester could be nearing an end. However, till Lammens is signed, no concrete decision will be taken.
“What seems certain to be a busy 10 days before the deadline closes on 1 September has taken another twist with confirmation there has been contact between United and Belgian club Royal Antwerp around goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Bayindir in danger
“However, with veteran England man Tom Heaton having signed a one-year deal this summer, the feeling is United would not bring in another goalkeeper without someone leaving.
“Andre Onana’s former club Inter Milan seem to be in the hunt for a goalkeeper but Old Trafford insiders are presently sticking to their belief that Onana will not be moving this summer and while Altay Bayindir would be the obvious man to move even though he started the Premier League defeat to Arsenal last week, nothing is imminent around the Turkey international either.”
United have tried to offload their backup keeper, but teams from his homeland have not submitted a concrete proposal.
It will be interesting to see how the club deals with this latest conundrum. One thing is clear, a new keeper is definitely needed, even if it results in the departure of one from Amorim’s current crop.
Feature image Vincent Carchietta via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
