Manchester United are set to head into yet another summer window with question marks surrounding their first-choice goalkeeper, with it having been just two years since Erik ten Hag opted to replace long-serving star, David de Gea, with his former Ajax stopper, Andre Onana.
There may be those now ruing the decision to let De Gea leave on a free transfer, although it’s worth remembering that the Spaniard had become a costly figure in his own right in that final campaign, with the £375k-per-week asset notably enduring an error-strewn display away in Seville, having also failed to keep out Ilkay Gundogan’s tame volley in the FA Cup final.
The decision to part ways with the former Premier League winner arguably remains the correct call, albeit with the Red Devils seemingly getting it wrong with regard to his placement, not least in having forked out £47.2m for a player that they could have signed for nothing in 2022.
The ex-Inter star has since made more errors leading to a goal in all competitions than any other Premier League goalkeeper, with Thursday’s 2-2 draw away in Lyon marking almost the final straw with Onana at fault for both of the hosts’ goals on the night.
Frustratingly for Ruben Amorim, the decision to remove the Cameroonian from the firing line for Sunday’s trip to St James’ Park failed to have the desired effect, with one-time FA Cup hero, Altay Bayindir, enduring an afternoon to forget on Tyneside.
Altay Bayindir's game in numbers vs Newcastle
With Onana dominating the headlines in midweek – amid both his display and pre-match spat with Nemanja Matic – it appeared the appropriate time for Amorim to make a change in the sticks, ahead of the weekend clash with Newcastle United.
Signed for just £4.3m from Fenerbahce back in 2023, Bayindir has been patiently waiting for his chance at Old Trafford, with the meeting with the Magpies remarkably marking just his first Premier League start since arriving from his native Turkey.
The 27-year-old – who made just two appearances under Ten Hag – had previously caught the eye following his penalty shootout heroics against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, with that standing out as a rare high point in an otherwise forgettable United career.
Finally afforded his opportunity in the top-flight, Bayindir – unfortunately – could not take his chance, having been particularly culpable for Newcastle’s fourth goal after producing an errant kick which led to Bruno Guimaraes’ strike.
In all, the struggling understudy made just two saves up against the rampant hosts, having also finished with a meagre pass accuracy of just 49%, as per Sofascore, after looking particularly uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.
The 68-touch ‘keeper also only successfully completed ten of his 37 long balls, with such woes emphasising just why he has largely been on the periphery across his two seasons in Manchester.
That performance will likely ensure that Onana is reinstated for Thursday’s reverse fixture with Lyon, although that is hardly the ideal situation. Could Amorim look elsewhere to find a much-needed solution?
How Man Utd can replace Andre Onana
With Onana – who has made three errors leading to a goal in the league this season – still producing a catalogue of mistakes, and with Bayindir also failing to convince, there could be a desire to throw veteran backup, Tom Heaton, into the mix this week.
Goals against
1.32
Top 36%
Save percentage
69.8%
Top 48%
Save % (penalties)
25%
Top 30%
Clean sheet %
29%
Top 25%
Touches
40.52
Top 33%
Passes launched
29.1%
Bottom 39%
Crosses stopped
5.7%
Bottom 45%
Defensive actions outside of area
0.65
Bottom 17%
The United academy graduate has, however, only played three times since returning to Old Trafford on a free transfer back in the summer of 2021, with recent reports suggesting that the 39-year-old is set to depart amid the expiry of his contract in June.
The former Burnley man could represent a short-term option for Amorim, although his lack of game time over a consistent period should certainly be a concern, having also been hampered by injury in recent months.
That absence – alongside Bayindir’s own spell on the sidelines – did see young Elyh Harrison thrown into the matchday squad for a string of games in February and March, with the 19-year-old notably making the bench for both legs of United’s Europa League last-16 tie with Real Sociedad.
It could represent a huge call to chuck the teenager in at the deep end, yet having seen the woes of the senior stoppers ahead of him, could the Englishman really do much worse?
Equally, unlike Heaton, the academy starlet has enjoyed regular action this seen both in the youth set-up and during a stint on loan at National League North outfit, Chester, in the first-half of 2024/25.
That temporary spell saw the England U20 international concede just 16 goals in 18 league games, while keeping seven clean sheets, with manager Calum McIntyre full of praise for his performances:
“Elyh has been superb for us, and we are really thankful for all his efforts over this first half of the season. We have been blessed in recent years with some really talented goalkeepers and it’s worth remembering that Elyh is just 18 years old, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent the football club at this level.
“He has shown his immense ability and has a hugely bright future in the game ahead of him. We can be really proud that we were his first taste of senior football.”
With United ultimately opting to cut that loan short to bring him back to Carrington, it could be time for Amorim to put his faith in another rising star, having already handed senior debuts to the likes of Harry Amass and Chido Obi in recent months.
Previously described as ‘one of the most promising homegrown goalkeepers of his generation’ by the Manchester Evening News, Harrison could potentially represent the future of United’s goalkeeping ranks.
He might also be a wildcard option for the present too…
Worse than Bayindir: 4/10 Man Utd flop should be nowhere near Amorim's XI
Manchester United were battered by Newcastle United on Sunday evening.
ByMatt DawsonApr 13, 2025
