Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has delivered a harsh verdict on Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation, claiming that Altay Bayindir should no longer be considered an option at Old Trafford. Burley also cast doubt on new signing Senne Lammens, warning that the Belgian goalkeeper will be targeted relentlessly by opponents unless he asserts himself immediately.
Manchester United secured Lammens from Royal Antwerp on the final day of the transfer window for a fee of £18.6 million. The 22-year-old shot-stopper is expected to become United’s first-choice goalkeeper this season, leaving Bayindir as backup after a string of unconvincing performances.
Speaking оn ESPN FC, Burlеу ԛuеѕtіоnеd United’s transfer ѕtrаtеgу аnd stressed thаt Lаmmеnѕ nееdѕ tо command hіѕ реnаltу аrеа rіght frоm thе start.
“If this young lad (Lammens) comes in and starts looking lost, it’s going to be chaos,” Burley said.
“Altay Bayindir—don’t play him. He might be decent at shot-stopping, which is the basic job of a goalkeeper, but he’s absolutely useless when it comes to dealing with crosses and set-pieces.”
Burley further explained that United’s weaknesses between the posts have now become obvious to every opponent in the Premier League.
“Every single team facing United will launch crosses into the box. The goalkeeper has to show authority, dominate the area, and make a statement. Otherwise, United will continue to suffer. Lammens will either rise to the challenge or collapse under the pressure—we just don’t know yet.”
Burley Also Slams Andre Onana
The former Chelsea man didn’t stop at Bayindir. He also criticized Andre Onana, suggesting that the Cameroonian goalkeeper has regressed since moving to Manchester United from Inter Milan.
“Onana is another player who joined United and went backwards,” Burley said.
“They spent big money on him, but he hasn’t shown control over the backline. I thought he was going to be the real deal—I saw him at Ajax and Inter, he had presence, authority, almost like a Peter Schmeichel type who could organize defenders. But that aura hasn’t been there at Old Trafford.”
Onana’s Shock Loan Move to Trabzonspor
In a surprising twist, Andre Onana has agreed a loan deal with Turkish giants Trabzonspor. The Super Lig side, currently battling for the top spot in Turkey, needed a new first-choice goalkeeper after losing captain Ugurcan Cakir.
According to reports, a verbal agreement has already been reached between Trabzonspor and Manchester United. The final decision now rests with Onana, who must choose whether to take the move or remain at Old Trafford.
The Cameroonian’s situation at United has worsened since a pre-season injury, coupled with inconsistent form and the arrival of Senne Lammens. His once-assured starting role has diminished rapidly, making a switch to Turkey an attractive opportunity to reset his career.
With the Turkish transfer window closing in just a few days, Onana is under pressure to make a quick decision. A successful loan spell in the Super Lig could help him rebuild confidence, regain sharpness, and potentially force his way back into Manchester United’s plans—or secure a permanent move elsewhere.
Manchester United Facing a Goalkeeping Dilemma
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Bayindir, Lammens, and Onana highlights Manchester United’s lack of stability in goal. For a club with ambitions of returning to the Premier League elite and competing deep into the Champions League, this goalkeeper crisis could derail their progress.
Fans and pundits alike are demanding clarity. Burley’s sharp criticism underscores a reality many supporters fear: without a reliable figure between the posts, United risk repeating the same mistakes that have haunted them in recent seasons.
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