Manchester United are set to go into yet one more summer time window with query marks surrounding their first-choice goalkeeper, with it having been simply two years since Erik ten Hag opted to interchange long-serving star, David de Gea, along with his former Ajax stopper, Andre Onana.
There could also be these now ruing the choice to let De Gea go away on a free switch, though it is price remembering that the Spaniard had turn out to be a expensive determine in his personal proper in that closing marketing campaign, with the £375k-per-week asset notably enduring an error-strewn show away in Seville, having additionally did not hold out Ilkay Gundogan’s tame volley within the FA Cup closing.
The choice to half methods with the previous Premier League winner arguably stays the proper name, albeit with the Pink Devils seemingly getting it improper with regard to his placement, not least in having forked out £47.2m for a participant that they might have signed for nothing in 2022.
The ex-Inter star has since made extra errors resulting in a purpose in all competitions than every other Premier League goalkeeper, with Thursday’s 2-2 draw away in Lyon marking virtually the ultimate straw with Onana at fault for each of the hosts’ objectives on the evening.
Frustratingly for Ruben Amorim, the choice to take away the Cameroonian from the firing line for Sunday’s journey to St James’ Park did not have the specified impact, with one-time FA Cup hero, Altay Bayindir, enduring a day to overlook on Tyneside.
Altay Bayindir’s sport in numbers vs Newcastle
With Onana dominating the headlines in midweek – amid each his show and pre-match spat with Nemanja Matic – it appeared the suitable time for Amorim to make a change within the sticks, forward of the weekend conflict with Newcastle United.
Signed for simply £4.3m from Fenerbahce again in 2023, Bayindir has been patiently ready for his likelihood at Outdated Trafford, with the assembly with the Magpies remarkably marking simply his first Premier League begin since arriving from his native Turkey.
The 27-year-old – who made simply two appearances below Ten Hag – had beforehand caught the attention following his penalty shootout heroics towards Arsenal within the FA Cup third spherical, with that standing out as a uncommon excessive level in an in any other case forgettable United profession.
Lastly afforded his alternative within the top-flight, Bayindir – sadly – couldn’t take his likelihood, having been notably culpable for Newcastle’s fourth purpose after producing an errant kick which led to Bruno Guimaraes’ strike.
In all, the struggling understudy made simply two saves up towards the rampant hosts, having additionally completed with a meagre cross accuracy of simply 49%, as per Sofascore, after trying notably uncomfortable with the ball at his ft.
The 68-touch ‘keeper additionally solely efficiently accomplished ten of his 37 lengthy balls, with such woes emphasising simply why he has largely been on the periphery throughout his two seasons in Manchester.
That efficiency will possible be certain that Onana is reinstated for Thursday’s reverse fixture with Lyon, though that’s hardly the best state of affairs. May Amorim look elsewhere to discover a much-needed resolution?
How Man Utd can exchange Andre Onana
With Onana – who has made three errors resulting in a purpose within the league this season – nonetheless producing a listing of errors, and with Bayindir additionally failing to persuade, there might be a need to throw veteran backup, Tom Heaton, into the combo this week.
|
Andre Onana in contrast PL goalkeepers – 24/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
Per 90 |
Rating |
|
Objectives towards |
1.32 |
High 36% |
|
Save proportion |
69.8% |
High 48% |
|
Save % (penalties) |
25% |
High 30% |
|
Clear sheet % |
29% |
High 25% |
|
Touches |
40.52 |
High 33% |
|
Passes launched |
29.1% |
Backside 39% |
|
Crosses stopped |
5.7% |
Backside 45% |
|
Defensive actions outdoors of space |
0.65 |
Backside 17% |
|
Stats by way of FBref |
||
The United academy graduate has, nevertheless, solely performed 3 times since returning to Outdated Trafford on a free switch again in the summertime of 2021, with current reviews suggesting that the 39-year-old is ready to depart amid the expiry of his contract in June.
The previous Burnley man might characterize a short-term choice for Amorim, though his lack of sport time over a constant interval ought to actually be a priority, having additionally been hampered by harm in current months.
That absence – alongside Bayindir’s personal spell on the sidelines – did see younger Elyh Harrison thrown into the matchday squad for a string of video games in February and March, with the 19-year-old notably making the bench for each legs of United’s Europa League last-16 tie with Actual Sociedad.
It might characterize an enormous name to chuck {the teenager} in on the deep finish, but having seen the woes of the senior stoppers forward of him, might the Englishman actually do a lot worse?
Equally, not like Heaton, the academy starlet has loved common motion this seen each within the youth set-up and through a stint on mortgage at Nationwide League North outfit, Chester, within the first-half of 2024/25.
That non permanent spell noticed the England U20 worldwide concede simply 16 objectives in 18 league video games, whereas retaining seven clear sheets, with supervisor Calum McIntyre filled with reward for his performances:
“Elyh has been very good for us, and we’re actually grateful for all his efforts over this primary half of the season. We have now been blessed in recent times with some actually gifted goalkeepers and it’s price remembering that Elyh is simply 18 years previous, changing into the youngest goalkeeper to characterize the soccer membership at this degree.
“He has proven his immense skill and has a vastly shiny future within the sport forward of him. We will be actually proud that we have been his first style of senior soccer.”
With United finally opting to chop that mortgage quick to carry him again to Carrington, it might be time for Amorim to place his religion in one other rising star, having already handed senior debuts to the likes of Harry Amass and Chido Obi in current months.
Beforehand described as ‘one of the vital promising homegrown goalkeepers of his technology’ by the Manchester Night Information, Harrison might probably characterize the way forward for United’s goalkeeping ranks.
He may additionally be a wildcard choice for the current too…
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Manchester United have been battered by Newcastle United on Sunday night.
