Manchester United made strong reinforcements this summer in a bid to rebuild manager Ruben Amorim, but the Portuguese head coach is said to have made a major mistake.
Manchester United are said to have a goalkeeping problem that could last for several more years after failing to sign an experienced number one this summer. Andre Onana has been the Red Devils’ first-choice keeper for the past two seasons, but repeated mistakes led to him being allowed to join Turkish club Trabzonspor on loan at the end of the most recent transfer window.
United have been linked with a number of experienced shot-stoppers to replace them, including Emi Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, Martinez’s move did not materialize and he ended up staying at Aston Villa, while Donnarumma moved from Paris Saint-Germain to United’s fierce rivals Manchester City.
A new goalkeeper has finally been welcomed to Old Trafford with an £18m deal agreed for Royal Antwerp’s Senne Ramens. The 23-year-old was handed his debut by United head coach Ruben Amorim just before the international break and kept a clean sheet in the Premier League win over Sunderland.
However, given his lack of experience outside of the Belgian professional league, questions remain as to whether Lamence will be the solution to his problems between the sticks. Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster has expressed surprise that United did not try harder to sign Martinez or Donnarumma.
The former Watford and Wrexham star told talkSPORT: “I was really shocked[not to sign Martinez]. I thought it was a no-brainer. Even with Gigi Donnarumma, I thought it was a no-brainer, so I just got on with it.”
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“You need that guy. You might have to pay a lot of money over the odds for him, but that’s where the position is.
“They didn’t do that and I think it could be a situation where that could go on for a few years. Lamence got off to a great start against Sunderland so I’m going to give him a chance, but that’s a big ask.”
Onana is currently enjoying a happier time away from United, with improved performances in Turkey. But Foster insists Amorim was right to let the former Inter Milan goalkeeper leave, despite questioning his choice of replacement.
“When you make as many mistakes as he does, it’s inevitable that you’re going to get turfed out eventually. That’s to be expected. Maybe he’s a little too busy as a goalie,” he said.
“He wasn’t calm at all and his saves seemed a bit too erratic in important moments. He seems to panic in those moments.
“When the ball is coming at you 80 miles per hour, that’s the moment you need real composure under pressure. He didn’t have that ability and I thought he put a little too much pressure on him.”
Trabzonspor are believed to be exploring the possibility of signing Onana on a permanent basis. However, it is believed his intentions are to return to Manchester and re-establish himself as United’s No.1.
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