Rio Ferdinand has questioned Manchester United’s transfer move for Senne Lammens, suggesting the club may require a more established goalkeeper who can ‘regular the ship’ this summer.
United’s goalkeeping situation has once more come under the highlight across what has been a disappointing begin to the Premier League campaign.
The Red Devils have picked up only one point from a possible six of their two opening matches against Arsenal and Fulham and Ruben Amorim’s side are yet to maintain a clean sheet.
Despite a string of unconvincing performances last season, Altay Bayindir has been given the nod for each games and it has proven a difficult experience, with the Turkey international, at times, looking of his depth.
Bayindir has appeared especially vulnerable when coping with set-pieces and there have been some calls for Andre Onana to return to Amorim’s starting XI against Burnley this weekend.
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Meanwhile, United have been working to get a deal over the road for £20million-rated Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Lammens, who has reportedly agreed personal terms over a move to Old Trafford.
‘United have entered negotiations for Senne Lammens, who’s a young 23-year-old ‘keeper from Antwerp, but he’s not experienced,’ Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel of the rumours surrounding the Belgian shot-stopper.
‘Is that this more about squad depth and never someone who’s going to are available and play immediately?
‘Do Manchester United have to go and get someone who can regular the ship in that position or are they trusting who they’ve got, Bayindir and Onana, to fight it out for the primary?
‘Onana goes to be heading off to AFCON within the winter which goes to make it difficult again.
‘I don’t know, man. It’s going to must be sorted out in the longer term because for the time being, there’s uncertainty within the backline. As a defender, I do know that uncertainty behind me creates panic and should you’re going to achieve success and consistent, you possibly can’t have that.’
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While Ferdinand believes Bayindir has the ‘potential’ to turn into a top ‘keeper, he feels there have been signs of nervousness within the Turk’s two opening displays this season.
He added: ‘It’s been shaky, let’s not beat across the bush. Onana hasn’t found consistency yet and his alternative [Bayindir] looks shaky from set-pieces.
‘I feel Bayindir has got potential but for the time being he looks quite nervous, especially when the ball is put in under that crossbar.
‘And on the weekend, there was a mistake for a goal. At set-pieces, we glance vulnerable.’
Ferdinand has sympathy for Bayindir and Onana given history has proven that the role of United’s primary is ‘not a straightforward position to fill’.
‘I got here to the club when Fabien Barthez was there. But before that, Peter Schmeichel was there,’ the six-time Premier League winner added.
‘Barthez was a World Cup winner and still didn’t look comfortable so it’s a tough role.
‘After that, we had Tim Howard, Roy Carroll, Tomasz Kuszczak, Ricardo, until we found Edwin [van der Sar].
‘Edwin was hugely experienced, won a load of stuff, after which he got here in and was wonderful, among the best goalkeepers that Manchester United have ever had. But it surely shows you that it’s not a straightforward position to fill.’
Amorim has been reluctant to single Bayindir out for criticism and as a substitute said United’s team as a complete needed to ‘grow up’ following the side’s 1-1 draw at Fulham.
‘Now we have to grow up rather a lot as a team,’ the Portuguese told reporters at his post-match press conference.
‘For me, crucial thing is that through the week they were working really hard.
‘Today, we worked really hard, and we’re going to improve. The moment that modified the sport was our goal.’
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