Why Manchester United’s season hinges on signing – or not signing – a goalkeeper | OneFootball

After Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir made an error to gift Arsenal the only goal of the game in the 1-0 opening weekend loss, the focus at the club has again shifted to the goalkeepers.

Ruben Amorim opted to start Bayindir over the fit-again Andre Onana, and the decision seemed to backfire. The Turkish stopper made a mistake from a corner in the 13th minute, coming out to punch but missing the ball and allowing Riccardo Calafiori a simple header at the back post.

United were the better team for the remainder of the game, but the damage had been done with that goal and they were unable to find a response. Bayindir was subsequently at the centre of much criticism from United fans, with many deeming a new number one essential.

A reporter asked Amorim after the game if he should have started Tom Heaton, to which the Portuguese angrily responded: “Why? Without VAR [in the compe­tition]. With VAR, it’s a foul. And then what happened in the next game? Arsenal. Who saved the ­penalty? Who saved the game?… I’m happy with the three goalkeepers.”

Despite Amorim’s staunch defence of Bayindir, he is clearly error-prone and Onana has proven he is too. Heaton is 39-years-old and in no condition to play regularly, the last time he started 20 games or more in a season was 2019/20.

The transfer window closes on the 1st September, meaning Amorim has 13 days to sign a new goalkeeper if he thinks it’s necessary.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is available and looking to leave PSG, but Manchester City seem to be frontrunners for his signature.

Donnarumma aside, there is a dearth of top-level goalkeepers, especially this close to the end of the window, so United may have to sign a younger player with potential to develop into an elite keeper.

The name they are being linked with is Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp, according to Fabrizio Romano. It is thought that Antwerp would want £20 million for him.

Lammens is just 23 and has only ever played in Belgium, meaning there’s no guarantee he could come in and raise the quality.

There have also been tentative links with former player David de Gea, but re-signing a player who left two years ago feels like regression and therefore unlikely.

It seems the best and most realistic option for United is Emiliano Martinez. The Argentinian has laid bare his desire to leave Aston Villa, waving goodbye to the Villa fans at the end of last season, but nothing has materialised for him yet.

The Yashin Trophy winner is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and well-placed to deal with the pressure that comes with being Manchester United’s starting goalkeeper.

Gary Neville has been quoted several times saying that he feels the Manchester United number one is the most difficult post in English football.

De Gea was under huge pressure during his first couple of seasons in Manchester, whilst Onana has had a similar experience since joining in 2023.

Martinez is not short of confidence and even if his antics can frustrate opposition players and fans, he fits well in the mould of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar.

United have had a positive summer, signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, and Cunha and Mbeumo were both very encouraging against Arsenal.

But to build on the encouraging signs, they need to sure up the goalkeeping position. Andre Onana will come back into the team soon, but fans have lost a lot of faith in him, while some of his teammates must have too.

If Bayindir hadn’t made the mistake, United could have won or at the very least drawn against the Gunners. They were the better team. So that’s either one or three points dropped already due to a goalkeeping mistake.

Who knows how many that could tally up to by the end of the season if United do not fill the glaring hole in their team.