Manchester United are preparing to trim down their goalkeeping department after deadline day left Ruben Amorim with an inflated pool of options.
According to the Daily Mirror, the club have made three players available for sale and could sanction the departure of either André Onana or Altay Bayindir in the coming weeks.
Goalkeeper logjam at Old Trafford
United’s late move for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens has left Amorim with four senior shot-stoppers in his first-team squad.
Alongside Lammens are Onana, Bayindir and veteran Tom Heaton. That total is considered excessive, particularly with other areas of the squad in need of balancing.
Onana, signed just last summer to be United’s No.1, endured a difficult debut campaign and has yet to fully convince supporters.
Bayindir, meanwhile, began this season as Amorim’s first choice in the league but has looked unsteady, most notably with a costly mistake in the defeat to Arsenal.
Lammens complicates the picture
At £18m, Lammens is a sizeable investment for the future, but United do not expect him to immediately step into the starting role.
Instead, the 23-year-old is likely to serve as backup this season, raising questions over which of Onana or Bayindir should make way.
Limited time, limited markets
Despite the English transfer window closing on Monday, United still have potential exit routes.
The Saudi Arabian market remains open until September 23, while Turkey’s window stays active for another week. Both countries could provide escape avenues for either goalkeeper should the right offer arrive.
AFCON factor
One complicating element is Onana’s international duty. The Cameroon goalkeeper will be absent for a significant stretch when the Africa Cup of Nations begins in December.
That absence makes United cautious about selling him, even though doubts persist over his long-term reliability.
Our view
United’s bloated goalkeeper department is the latest example of muddled squad planning, though Amorim is keen to establish a clear hierarchy. Lammens is expected to grow into the role in time, but between Onana and Bayindir, at least one will need to be sacrificed to ease the logjam.
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