Manchester United’s Goalkeeper Situation
MANCHESTER — Ahead of the upcoming match against Fulham, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that goalkeeper André Onana is fit to play. However, he refrained from committing to whether Onana will take over from Altay Bayindir, who faced criticism after a mistake led to a 1-0 loss against Arsenal in the season’s opening match.
Onana’s Readiness and Team Challenges
Onana had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury and only participated in three training sessions before the Arsenal game, which resulted in his exclusion from the lineup. Yet, Amorim noted Onana’s readiness to return, stating,
“Onana is ready to play like last week so we will see in the game who is going to be the goalkeeper.”
He acknowledged the challenging nature of playing against Fulham, emphasizing their experience and comfortable demeanor in the league, making it evident that the upcoming clash will not be easy.
Transfer Rumors and Squad Dynamics
In addition to the goalkeeping situation, United has been rumored to be pursuing Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens, but sources indicate that Onana’s departure is unlikely before the transfer deadline. Currently, the club’s focus is on offloading senior players like Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia, who are not part of Amorim’s current plans and are training separately from the main group.
Amorim expressed understanding of the difficult situation for these players, noting,
“I know that is not a good thing to have players in this situation but it’s clear they want to play in a different club.”
Future Considerations
As the transfer window nears its conclusion, Amorim is contemplating the future of his squad. He remarked,
“When the window is closed, we have to receive the players and in a new life, anything can happen,”
indicating potential shifts within the team.
He also mentioned striker Rasmus Hojlund, who remains with the team after the recent signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Hojlund has maintained a professional attitude despite not being selected for the Arsenal match. Although there is interest from Napoli regarding Hojlund, no agreement has yet been reached for his transfer. Amorim suggested waiting until the transfer window closes for final decisions.
