Ruben Amorim comes out in support of the Manchester United goalkeepers after the win against Burnley
Manchester United’s goalkeepers have been under question since the start of the season. Altay Bayındır failed to clear a corner properly in the opening match against Arsenal, and the team had to face a 1-0 defeat. Then, in the EFL Cup against Grimsby, André Onana made direct mistakes in two goals. First, an easy shot went past him, and then a wrong punch gave the opponent a chance to put the ball in the open net. On the return against Burnley, Bayındir also did not push Jaidon Anthony’s shot away properly, and the score became 2-2. These three matches have made goalkeeping the biggest issue.
Ruben Amorim’s defence and the team’s situation:
After the 3-2 win over Burnley, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim clarified the situation regarding goalkeepers in a conversation with the media. As relayed by Manchester Evening News, he admitted that the club’s goalkeepers are under pressure at the moment, and every small mistake becomes a big noise.
Amorim said that being United’s goalkeeper is not easy because every attack can turn into danger. He did not try to hide the mistakes of the players, but made it clear that the defensive organisation is equally responsible. The 40-year-old said that the team had conceded a similar goal against Fulham.
Ruben Amorim comes out in support of the Manchester United goalkeepers after the win against Burnley.
Man United’s goalkeepers have already made mistakes this season, but Ruben Amorim defended his option
Amorim said that changing goalkeepers repeatedly does not change the picture because the problem is not just his. He reminded that the whole team has to improve, it is not right to blame only the goalkeepers.
After the match, Bryan Mbeumo also supported Amorim and said that United are in the right direction. Amorim described the team as better in this victory and admitted that this is the beginning, and we have to move forward while bearing the pressure. It was clear from his words that he wants to remove the pressure from the players and create a united atmosphere.
“Guys, they are humans.”
“Manchester United, everything is in use. Everybody talks about the goalkeeper. And you can see, I can change the goalkeeper in the situations that happen.”
“We are in that moment. I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment.”
“But if you look at the first goal, we can defend it better. We suffered a quite similar goal against Fulham, because we don’t do the full rotation of the team when the ball is on the other side.”
“All these small things have nothing to do with the goalkeeper. So, the players are struggling a little bit with all the things around the club. That is normal. So it’s not just the goalkeepers. I think everybody has to improve.”
Opinion:
We think Amorim is thinking in the right direction. He did admit the mistakes of the goalkeepers but avoided making them a lone target. It is not easy to play under the lights of Old Trafford, especially when the media and fans point fingers at every mistake. Amorim is absolutely right when he says that the atmosphere of the club around the players also affects them. This pressure is not just on Onana or Bayındır but on the entire team.
There is currently talk that United may try to sign Senne Lammens. This move seems sensible as Onana may go to the Africa Cup of Nations, and Bayindir has not proven to be reliable. Lammens’ shot-stopping ability and calmness could give United a strong option. It will also inspire the current goalkeepers to improve.
What United need at the moment is confidence and organisation. Amorim himself said that the defensive rotations are not right; this problem has been coming up again and again. If there is better coordination between the backline and the goalkeeper, many goals can be avoided. We think the presence of some experienced players can stabilise the atmosphere on the field and in the dressing room.
This period has been disappointing for the fans, but the win over Burnley has shown a ray of hope. If the team limits mistakes and produces consistent results, the criticism will gradually subside. Manchester United will have to improve not just the goalkeepers but the entire defensive unit. Only then will the wall of Old Trafford stand strong again. However, goalkeepers are definitely under the scanner for Manchester United, and they will need to improve.