Manchester United signed Senne Lammens on transfer deadline day and Ruben Amorim has a big decision to make over who starts in goal against Manchester City on Sunday
14:14, 11 Sep 2025
Ruben Amorim has a big decision to make ahead of the Manchester derby
Ruben Amorim has a big decision to make ahead of the Manchester derby
Manchester United and Manchester City both face huge dilemmas when it comes to their goalkeepers in Sunday's Manchester derby.
Both struggling clubs - ninth and 13th in the Premier League respectively - brought in new keepers on transfer deadline day, highlighting their mutual uncertainty in the goalkeeper position. Manchester City secured the services of Gianluigi Donnarumma after agreeing a £27million deal with Paris Saint-Germain, who decided to cut their losses when the Italian failed to agree a new contract.
Meanwhile, over at Manchester United, Senne Lammens was signed for an initial £18.2million plus £3.5million in potential add-ons. Pep Guardiola is almost certain to make 26-year-old Donnarumma his new No. 1, but Ruben Amorim has a decision to make. Lammens, 23, arrives in the Premier League with everything to prove, having made a name for himself at Royal Antwerp and caught the eye of United scouts, reports the Mirror.
United opted to sign a new keeper following Altay Bayindir's shaky start to the season. This came after Amorim took the bold step of placing his trust in the Turkish international and dropping Andre Onana, who is now set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on a season-long loan. So, will Amorim throw Lammens into the deep end at the Etihad? Will he stick with Bayindir? Or could veteran Tom Heaton even get a look in?
The case for Lammens
Senne Lammens playing for Royal Antwerp
Senne Lammens kept 12 clean sheets in 64 appearances for Royal Antwerp(Image: Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
It was clear from Andre Onana's debut at Old Trafford that he looked a liability and he never managed to shake off that reputation with a string of high profile howlers.
Amorim will be keen to avoid a similar fate for Lammens, who faces a daunting first match against City. However, if the alternative is Bayindir, the United manager has no other option.
If Lammens was chosen over Emi Martinez - he must be ready to step up immediately. Bayindir wouldn't make the starting line-up for any other Premier League team.
Lammens should prove to be a significant improvement, but it will undoubtedly be a tense Sunday for the newcomer. It's a case of sink or swim for anyone donning the gloves for United.
Bayindir has already sunk and Heaton has had his opportunity - so why not give the new lad a chance?
The case for Bayindir
Altay Bayindir
Altay Bayindir has endured a poor start to the season(Image: Getty Images)
United have landed themselves in a self-inflicted predicament with their goalkeeping situation, which is far from ideal this weekend.
At 23, Lammens has only played in Belgium and isn't even considered one of the country's top three 'keepers.
Tom Heaton is not an option, leaving Bayindir as the most logical choice. The Turkish international hasn't been particularly convincing, but at least he has trained and played with United's defence before.
His main weakness lies in set pieces, which - theoretically - isn't one of Man City's major strengths. Bayindir could get the nod simply by default due to the nature of the game and the limited training time since deadline day.
Verdict
Senne Lammens is Manchester United's new goalkeeping hope
Senne Lammens is Manchester United's new goalkeeping hope(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Senne Lammens should be given the nod. Bayindir has already cost United valuable points this season and if the Red Devils truly believe that Lammens was a better acquisition thanMartinez, they should have faith in him on a grand stage like the Etihad, just two weeks after his deadline-day transfer.
Bayindir's signing by United seemed an odd choice; he wasn't particularly highly regarded at Fenerbahce and Erik ten Hag seemed hesitant to field him regardless of the opposition.
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He did have his moment of glory at Arsenal in the FA Cup last season with a string of superb saves, and he seems a great personality to have in the squad, but Bayindir should be warming the bench come Sunday.