Manchester United’s goalkeeping situation has gone from chaos to calmness, courtesy of Senne Lammens, but he’s not even someone Andre Onana should worry about right now.
Senne Lammens has grabbed that Man Utd No. 1 spot by the neck and made it his own, contrary to all expectations upon his arrival.
Not only did he dislodge Andre Onana from that position, but he also sent him away from Old Trafford entirely, while Onana isn’t pulling up any trees in Turkey either.
Do you agree with Edwin van der Sar over his Lammens praise?
He was excellent against Everton, but is he the long-term goalkeeper for United?
Edwin van der Sar quotes on Senne Lammens
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It’s likely that United find themselves on the hook for Onana’s wages again in the summer, but if he’s smart, then he’ll accept that his true competitor at United is no longer Lammens.
Radek Vitek in goal for Bristol City
Photo by Stephen White – CameraSport via Getty Images
Andre Onana wants to reclaim Man Utd place next season
Onana talked a big game when he joined Trabzonspor about how he’s a different player and loves life in Turkey.
That honeymoon period has firmly come to an end now, and the goalkeeper is perhaps aware of that.
It’s why The Guardian’s latest report suggests that Onana is now ‘intent’ on reclaiming the United No. 1 spot next season.
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He believes he can do so and trusts the club to give him a fair shot. He’s perfectly within his rights to believe that, but it’s unlikely that the club trusts him.
Not just because his own spell at Old Trafford was an error-riddled nightmare. Not even because Lammens has made it look so easy.
But it’s because United already have a much better option in Radek Vitek if they want somebody to fight and challenge for Lammens’ spot.
At that point, Onana just becomes an expendable asset they will want to shift again, especially now that his wages will go back up if United qualify for the Champions League.
Man Utd would rather invest in Radek Vitek’s growth
Onana might have had a sliver of a chance of returning to United next season and challenging Lammens had Vitek not shone on loan.
Had that happened, then Altay Bayindir’s potential exit, Tom Heaton’s expected retirement, and transfer priorities elsewhere could have paved the way for Onana’s return.
As it stands, Vitek has made himself borderline undeniable in the Championship this season with some truly wonder-games for Bristol City.
From unbelievable saves to dominating goalkeeping, Vitek looks tailor-made to be a Premier League goalkeeper for years to come.
Combine that with his homegrown status, lower wages, age profile, and exciting potential, and it is a no-brainer move to invest in Vitek’s growth instead of taking a step backward with Onana.
Forget being United’s backup and eventually fighting Lammens, Onana is now third in the pecking order, while getting paid like the undisputed No. 1.
That’s more than enough reason to throw any chances of a “fair shot” next season out of the window.
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