André Onana’s exit from Manchester United has left the club in a perplexing situation, further complicating an already volatile goalkeeper dilemma. While his offloading was intended to address his costly errors, it has only raised more questions for head coach Ruben Amorim. The club now faces an uncertain future between the posts, with the available options all carrying their own set of uncertainties.
Altay Bayindir, 27, is one of the current choices for the number-one spot but has already demonstrated a tendency for costly mistakes in his brief appearances for United. Senne Lammens, 23, is a complete unknown in English football, yet may also be called upon in future fixtures. The more experienced Tom Heaton, 39, hasn’t featured in a Premier League match since January 2020, raising doubts about his ability to perform at the highest level.
Onana’s departure to Trabzonspor for the season only deepens the confusion. Despite previous assurances that he would remain at the club, Onana was ultimately allowed to leave following an unresolved contract situation and his desire for regular game time ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. This move has left Amorim with limited options, none of which seem equipped to provide the stability the club desperately needs in goal.
United’s goalkeeper crisis can be traced back to a series of poor recruitment decisions, both under Erik ten Hag and Amorim’s own choices. While Amorim is not directly responsible for the signing of Onana or Bayindir, the lack of a solid solution leaves him with little room for error. His decision to allow Onana to leave without securing a top-tier replacement has raised further questions about the club’s strategy, with many wondering why Emiliano Martínez was not pursued instead.
Now, as United prepares for upcoming Premier League clashes, Amorim must make a high-stakes decision on who will take the reins between the posts. The scrutiny of the manager and his choices will be intense, especially if the club continues to ship goals. With his future likely tied to these decisions, Amorim faces an uphill battle to regain control of the goalkeeper situation and, ultimately, his tenure at Old Trafford.
