Manchester United eyeing Lazio’s Christos Mandas as Altay Bayindir’s replacement | OneFootball

Manchester United’s goalkeeping department underwent a seismic revolution last summer with a club legend’s departure after 12 seasons and two new goalkeepers coming in.

The thought was the club had followed manager Erik ten Hag’s instructions and done decent business and could now keep this stability moving forward.

But rumours mills keep suggesting another summer of change could be on the cards with plenty of publications claiming that the new No 1 Andre Onana is yet to fully convince and a replacement could be brought in.

The Peoples Person also relayed that reserve keeper Tom Heaton, who rejoined the club three seasons ago and whose contract ends in June , wants to play more and could be on the move.

Backup keeper set to leave

Backup keeper Altay Bayindir was signed from Fenerbahce but he has played only once this season, against Newport County in the FA Cup back when the Cameroonian was unavailable due to his AFCON commitments.

Onana’s start was far from smooth with the 28-year-old committing a number of high-profile mistakes and there were calls to drop the new No 1.

But the manager kept playing him in a bid to help him regain confidence and he even insisted that the former Inter Milan man leave late for international duty which created a lot of furore back home.

So instead of getting the chance to play in three games, the Turk got his only one shot as the team conceded twice against League Two opposition.

The Turkish international must have expected a few more opportunities with the manager praising his adaptation but so far, nothing has materialised.

He has been linked with a shock return back home and now, Italian publication La Lazio Siamo Noi have claimed that the shot-stopper is attracting interest from Trabzonspor.

And if he does end up leaving, the Red Devils will try and secure Lazio backup keeper Christos Mandas, who has impressed in Serie A this season.

United have already been linked with primary Lazio keeper Ivan Provedel but the Greek understudy has risen to the occasion since the Lazio No 1’s injury in March.

Mandas has made 10 appearances in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets in the process and the Rome-based club do not want to lose the 22-year-old.

Mandas interest

They are ready to sanction a loan move to help the young keeper gain further experience but the 20-time English league champions will try and secure a permanent deal.

“Manchester United have their eyes on Mandas. In recent days, our editorial staff had learned that Lazio could decide to loan the Greek to a team that guarantees him a starting place, and then welcome him back with a greater wealth of experience.

“From England, however, it would seem that the Red Devils are serious: Lotito could listen to United’s proposal, which however would not be oriented towards a loan, but towards a long-term investment to replace Bayindir (courted by Trabzonspor), Onana’s second.”

The Greece U21 international’s contract with Lazio runs until 2028 and he has a market value of €1 million. Whether United are once again forced into an overhaul of the goalkeeping department remains to be seen.

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