Manchester United have made an underwhelming start to their Premier League campaign and Rio Ferdinand has told Ruben Amorim an area that desperately needs addressing
Rio Ferdinand speaking on a podcast
Rio Ferdinand is concerned by Manchester United's goalkeeping situation
(Image: YouTube/Rio Ferdinand Presents)
Ruben Amorim needs to put on specific extra training sessions for goalkeeper Altay Bayindir or Manchester United’s game plan will continue to be undermined at set pieces. That’s the opinion of Rio Ferdinand, who was concerned by what he saw in their 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday.
Amorim opted to continue with Bayindir as his starting goalkeeper at Craven Cottage, with Andre Onana on the substitutes’ bench. Having been at fault for Riccardo Calafiori’s goal in the 1-0 loss against Arsenal on the opening weekend, the Turkey international’s struggles continued.
Bayindir struggled to assert himself from set pieces as Fulham tried to copy Arsenal’s tactics and target him. Although they managed not to concede from a set piece on Sunday, Ferdinand is worried and thinks action needs to be taken on the training pitch.
“We look shaky. The goalkeeper doesn’t fill me with massive confidence,” he said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel. “I’ve got to be honest with you, he made a great save in the game from Joshua King, when he came out with his feet, he did really well there.
“But from set pieces, even outside of the goal, he’s coming for things that are 50-50 and he’s not sure. The whole backline doesn't look good in that area, not just the goalkeeper to be honest with you.”
Ferdinand added: “He needs to liven up. I know that, definitely. I’ll tell you what I’d do, I’d be getting him out on the pitch every day and smashing balls under the crossbar.
“He’s got to get used to it, he’s got to get used to contact and work out a way. Make sure the referee is aware by the way that there’s going to be contact. Shout, get him aware to look at you so if there’s any contact, like in the Fulham game, that you get the free-kick.
Altay Bayindir of Manchester United reacts
Altay Bayindir has shown a weakness at dealing with set pieces
“I don’t think he talks enough, he doesn’t make people aware of what’s going on and then his decision-making in those moments hasn’t been good enough.
“I don’t think he’s seen enough of that, Declan Rice whipping balls right under his nose. He’s not on his own by the way in lacking a bit of confidence.”
United are in talks to sign Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but it is unclear where the 23-year-old would end up in the pecking order. Onana was United’s No.1 choice last season, but had to overcome an injury in pre-season and lost his place to Bayindir.
Gary Neville has also called on United to make changes in between the posts. “It is not a good look for Bayindir this – United need to sort this as it is not going to go away," he said on Sky Sports. “He is 27 years old, which is not young for a goalkeeper and it puts pressure on your defence when your keeper is flapping like that.”
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