Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim had a busy summer transfer window but the Portuguese head coach has been told he failed to deliver improvements in one key area
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has been told he failed in one key area during the summer transfer window
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Manchester United have been warned that their goalkeeping issues could persist for several more years after failing to secure an experienced No. 1 this summer.
Andre Onana, who was the Red Devils' first-choice keeper for the last two seasons, was allowed to join Turkish outfit Trabzonspor on loan late in the recent transfer window following a catalogue of blunders. United were reported to be eyeing a number of seasoned keepers as potential replacements, including Emi Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, a move for Martinez didn't happen and he remained at Aston Villa, while Donnarumma left Paris Saint-Germain to join United's bitter rivals Manchester City. Eventually, a new goalkeeper was brought in after an £18m deal was struck for Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens.
The 23-year-old was given his debut by United head coach Ruben Amorim just before the international break, keeping a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Sunderland in the Premier League. However, questions remain about whether Lammens is the solution to their problems in goal, given his limited experience outside the Belgian Pro League.
Former United keeper Ben Foster has now expressed his surprise that they didn't make a stronger effort to sign Martinez or Donnarumma.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Watford and Wrexham star said: "I was really shocked [that they didn't sign Martinez]. I thought it was an absolute no-brainer. Even with Gigi Donnarumma, I thought it's a no-brainer so just get it done.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez
Man United have been told they should have signed Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez
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"You need that guy. You might have to pay over the odds for him and you might have to pay a heavy wage, but that position is then settled.
"They didn't do it and I think it could become a situation where it might just rumble on for a few years now. I'm willing to give Lammens a chance because he got off to a fantastic start against Sunderland but it's a big ask."
Onana is currently experiencing better fortunes following his temporary departure from United and improved displays in Turkey. Nevertheless, Foster maintains Amorim was correct to allow the former Inter Milan shot-stopper to depart, despite questioning his choice of successor.
Andre Onana
Andre Onana has impressed in his first month at Trabzonspor
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He said: "When you make the amount of mistakes that he made, then it's inevitable that eventually you're going to get turfed out. It's just the way that it goes. He's probably a little bit too hectic as a goalkeeper.
"None of it is calm and composed and in big moments, there were saves that he was making that just looked a little bit too erratic. It's like he would panic in those moments.
"They're the moments where you need real calmness under pressure, when the ball is coming at you at 80 miles per hour. He didn't have that ability and I thought he let the pressure get to him a little bit too much."
Trabzonspor are reportedly considering signing Onana permanently. However, it's believed that his aim is to return to Manchester with the hope of reclaiming his position as United's first-choice goalkeeper.
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