With Manchester United set to go head-to-head with Manchester City this weekend, Ruben Amorim has confirmed he’s made one big call already.
United make the short journey across the city to the Etihad Stadium to face their bitter rivals, Man City.
For many Man United players, this will be their first taste of an away game at City. Bryan Mbeumo may have played for Brentford away at Man City, but the welcome he’ll get as a Man United player will be much different.
However, for one new Man United player, he won’t get to experience the hostile welcome after Amorim confirmed Altay Bayindi will start in goal and not Senne Lammers.
Amorim Makes Call on Goalkeeper Spot
Speaking to the club’s website, Amorim shared that Turkish goalkeeper Bayindi will keep his spot in goal:
“I believe in Altay. He is ready to play, and he is going to play.”
This might likely come as a shock to many Man United fans around the world, given that they signed Lammers on deadline day.
The Belgian isn’t lacking match fitness. The shot stopper played four times for Royal Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League before he left on the final day of the English transfer window.
Is Amorim Making the Right Choice Picking Altay Bayindi?
Keeping faith in Bayindi could be seen as a big sign of respect from Amorim. He hasn’t had the most assured start to the season after making an error against Arsenal on the opening day.
In Man United’s three Premier League games this season, Bayindi has conceded four goals (1.3 goals per game) and prevented 0.25 goals.
His best performance so far came in Man United’s 1-1 draw against Fulham. Bayindi received a seven rating from Sofascore, as he made two saves and made one high claim.
Amorim might be saving Lammers from a tough first game on purpose. It’s not an easy atmosphere or game for any player, but for a new goalkeeper, for Man United, who’ve had keeper issues for years, all eyes would be on Lammer.
On the other side of that argument, it’s fair to say all eyes will be on him no matter what.
To quote Gary Neville, “this is Manchester United”. No matter when Lammers makes his debut, all eyes will be on him. People will want to see if he’s the goalkeeper saviour they’ve been praying for.
If Bayindi pulls off a top display and Man United come away with a point or a victory, Amorim will be a genius. If he makes an error, people will question why Lammers wasn’t selected.