Amorim sends message to Man Utd as 27yo star does not play, £17m ace could replace him - opinion
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has sent a message to the club’s hierarchy by benching goalkeeper Altay Bayindir during the friendly against Bournemouth.
The Red Devils registered a 4-1 win over the Cherries in their second game of the Premier League Summer Series. Bayindir started on the bench and was an unused substitute.
In Andre Onana’s injury absence, third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton got the nod between the sticks.
The 39-year-old made a decent save in the opening half. He pulled off another brilliant stop with his right foot after the hour mark when the Red Devils were leading 3-0.
Heaton, unfortunately, did not keep a clean sheet after a late Matthijs de Ligt own goal.
The United graduate made a big impression in goal for the club, but questions are likely to be raised after Bayindir did not play a single minute against Andoni Iraola’s side.
Onana is presently on the sidelines recovering from a hamstring injury. He could be fit in the lead-up to the league opener against Arsenal, but he may need to be assessed.
In that case, Bayindir probably needs as much time between the sticks to prepare for the big occasion. His lack of minutes yesterday suggests Amorim does not trust him enough.
Despite wholesale substitutions in the second half, the 27-year-old was left on the bench alongside graduates Sekou Kone, Jack Fletcher, Dermot Mee and Reece Stafford Munro.
It is also an indication that the manager could be eyeing another backup goalkeeper. The Red Devils have been heavily linked with Royal Antwerp sensation Senne Lammens.
The 23-year-old is brilliant with his reflexes and has also excelled with his short and long ball distribution. The Belgian ace has also developed into a penalty-saving specialist.
He could be prised away for £13-17 million. A transfer could depend on whether the hierarchy can secure a reasonable fee from Bayindir’s departure in the coming weeks.
Article written by Sri Aswin .