As one of the most watched and scrutinised positions in world football, the Manchester United goalkeeper situation is constantly on the minds of fans and pundits. Since the inception of the Premier League, United have only had three reliable men between the sticks. Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea. Weaved in between these three stalwarts have been shot stoppers who have not filled fans with confidence.
Despite seemingly having a cemented keeper choice in Senne Lammens, rumours of Andre Onana wanting to come back and fight for his place, and the development of Radek Vitek adding to the selection conundrum, we look at who could be best suited for the high-pressure role.
Competition for places in football is healthy; however, this one is providing more headaches than solutions.
Inside the Battle to Be Manchester United’s Goalkeeper Next Season
The Reliable Lammens
Senne Lammens signed for Manchester United for a reported £18.1 million, a deal that is looking like fantastic business. The Belgian international was signed as a back-up to Onana; however, after poor form from both the Cameroonian and unimpressive work from Altay Bayindir, Lammens has cemented the number one spot.
Lammens has brought calmness and assurance to the goalkeeping position at Old Trafford. His most recent performance against Everton has shown glimpses of what the 23-year-old Belgian is capable of. He commanded his area, dealt with difficult situations from corners and provided a sense of composure throughout.
He’s dealt with a change in formation in front of him, adapting from having three centre-backs in front of him to just two, and has done so with professionalism. Recent praise from United legend, Van der Sar, will only add to his confidence.
Questions will be asked with Onana returning whether Lammens has claimed the shirt, or if he is keeping it warm for the man who will return from loan.
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Andre Onana Ready to Battle for Number One Spot
We must highlight his ball-playing ability, although this appeared to take away from his bread and butter – stopping shots. The former Inter Milan man became a liability and cost Manchester United plenty of points in the league, as well as making high-profile mistakes in the Champions League.
Onana seemed timid to come and claim crosses into the box, relying on his defenders to do the dirty work for him. He was slow to get down to low, driven shots, and when he did, he often parried the ball back into danger. A woeful performance against League Two side Grimsby Town was the final nail in the coffin for Onana’s Old Trafford career.
Now on loan at Trabzonspor, Onana has kept four clean sheets in 20 appearances. The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson reported that the former Ajax keeper wants to add his name back into the Manchester United goalkeeper situation when he returns in May and fight for his place back. His previous tenure suggests that he won’t be given a look in; however, stranger things have happened, especially in the United goalkeeping department.
Whoever the manager is at United next season may be pressured by the board to use Onana. His reported £100,000 a week wages will rise if The Red Devils qualify for the Champions League, and with a contract until June 2028, he could be difficult to get off the books. At 29, he still has a lot to offer, but perhaps not in the most pressurised environment in world football.
The Successful Loanee
Some Manchester United fans will recognise the name Radek Vitek from several appearances on the bench in 2023. Since then, the 22-year-old Czech keeper has honed his craft whilst out on loan. With 18 appearances for Accrington Stanley, a season in the Austrian Bundesliga and now cementing himself as a reliable pair of hands for Bristol City, Vitek is knocking on the door at the Theatre of Dreams.
An imposing figure at 6ft 6in, he’s kept nine clean sheets in 29 outings in the Championship this season, the joint third most in the league. If Bristol City and Vitek can have a strong finish to the season and make the play-offs, he can return from loan and provide more variables to the Manchester United goalkeeper situation.
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What United Need
Whoever is chosen, whether it’s Lammens, Onana or Vitek, United need stability.
The Manchester United goalkeeper is a highly scrutinised position, and whoever takes the gloves needs to be self-confident, be able to command more experienced defenders, have the ability to stop shots and be comfortable under the high ball.
They need to be adaptable to different situations and alternative formations, show leadership and be willing to absorb a lot of pressure from both different teams and the media.
As things stand, Manchester United’s goalkeeper situation is no longer about solving a problem; it’s about going in a specific direction.
Lammens currently has the position on merit, and a strong finish to the season will likely put the debate to bed. Onana’s history at the club suggests there is little chance he will reclaim his spot. Vitek is an interesting prospect and could provide healthy competition to Lammens next season.
Whoever United choose, they must stick with him and build the defence around them.
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame / News Images
