Yesterday, Andre Onana was dropped from Manchester United’s squad to face Newcastle, handing former Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir his Premier League debut. However, it turned out to be a debut to forget, as Bayindir conceded four goals, with his error leading to Newcastle’s fourth. The 4-1 loss was not only a blow to the United squad but also to many fans who had hoped Bayindir would replace Onana in the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinal against Lyon.
Recall that Onana made a costly mistake in the first leg against Lyon—his poor attempt to punch the ball led directly to the French side’s equalizer. United has struggled to find a stable replacement for club legend David De Gea in the goalkeeping department. In the loss to Newcastle, United’s defense was also culpable, with N. Mazraoui and V. Lindelöf committing errors that led to goals.
Under new manager Rúben Amorim, United has been underwhelming in the Premier League, currently sitting 14th. However, they remain unbeaten in the Europa League. Many United fans believe the club should focus on the Europa League, as winning it would secure UEFA Champions League football next season. This, in turn, could be crucial in attracting top strikers like Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyökeres, or Alexander Isak during the summer transfer window—players who would undoubtedly prioritize clubs playing in Europe’s elite competition.
With the second leg of the quarterfinal fast approaching, United must resolve the ongoing uncertainty in their goalkeeping department. The choice between Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana will be crucial.
So far, Onana has had a poor season, with about eight errors directly leading to goals in the Premier League. However, his experience in high-pressure matches—including reaching a UEFA Champions League final—could make him the more dependable option. Bayindir, on the other hand, lacks experience in such fixtures. His only big-game exposure came in the FA Cup against Arsenal, where he saved a decisive penalty to send United through, and now the Newcastle match, where the team collapsed 4-1.
Manager Rúben Amorim is faced with a crucial decision: stick with the more experienced Onana or gamble on the younger Bayindir. Considering the stakes in the Europa League, Amorim will need to make the right call.
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