Craig Burley feels Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim should end the Altay Bayindir experiment
Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation has become a hot topic with every game this season. Manager Ruben Amorim initially placed his trust in Altay Bayındır, handing him starts in the first three Premier League matches. However, his performances were unconvincing, and a costly mistake against Burnley, which directly led to a goal, immediately put his place under scrutiny.
Although Amorim has publicly defended him, the reality is that at a club the size of United, even the smallest error from a goalkeeper can prove decisive. Andre Onana’s fitness issues and his absence during pre-season due to injury have only added to the uncertainty. Meanwhile, the club’s recent signing, Senne Lammens, arrives with impressive shot-stopping statistics from last season and looks ready to compete for the starting spot from day one.
Craig Burley’s strong statement and the depth of the situation:
The debate intensified further when former Chelsea midfielder and ESPN pundit Craig Burley launched a direct criticism of Altay Bayındır, bluntly stating that Amorim “can’t play him again.” Burley acknowledged that Bayındır is a capable shot-stopper but argued that he has consistently failed to deal with set-pieces. He also stressed that Senne Lammens will need to do more than just save shots, he must command the defence and show authority in high-pressure situations such as corners and free-kicks.
Craig Burley feels Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim should end the Altay Bayindir experiment.
Bayındır needs to improve his consistency, particularly in dealing with crosses and set pieces
‘Altay Bayindir, they can’t play him. He might be okay at shot-stopping, which is what goalkeepers are paid for, but he’s absolutely useless at dealing with balls in from set-pieces.
‘This new lad [Lammens] needs to be able to marshal a back four, make saves and have authority and make a statement at set-pieces.
‘That’s what every team is going to do against United now, they’re going to launch balls into the box and the goalkeeper needs to be able to deal with it.
‘He’s either going to sink or swim. We don’t really know how he’s going to handle this scenario.’
Burley also warned that every opponent will now try to put the ball in the box against United, and the goalkeeper will have to survive this test. Lammens will be faced with whether he will sink or swim. Gary Neville also stated that the goalkeeper’s weakness continues to hurt the team and that Bayindir should have been more aggressive on corners. This argument further fuelled the debate.
Altay Bayindir’s future and prospects:
The question now is where Altay Bayındır fits into Manchester United’s current situation. He was initially given the opportunity, but costly mistakes quickly weakened his position. According to ESPN, those concerns pushed the club to move forward with Senne Lammens, while talk of André Onana’s departure has further complicated matters. As things stand, Bayındır may have to settle for a backup role. For now, it seems logical to keep the 27-year-old as an experienced option alongside the younger Lammens, at least until the Belgian fully adapts to the pace and pressure of the Premier League.
Still, the road ahead will not be easy for Bayındır. He must show significant improvement in his biggest weakness, dealing with set-pieces and crosses. To regain the trust of both Amorim and the fans, he needs to project confidence in training and in matches. Only by being mentally strong and making the most of his opportunities can he prove he deserves a long-term future at Old Trafford.
On the other hand, United did receive an offer for Bayındır during the summer, and if his performances fail to improve, the club may seriously consider a sale next year. It is frustrating for supporters to see a club of United’s stature continue to struggle with goalkeeping issues, but the reality is that under Amorim, this position has once again become one of the biggest challenges to solve.