Manchester United Goalkeeper Dilemma Intensifies Ahead of Derby

In the lead-up to the Manchester derby on September 10th, 2025, Manchester United's goalkeeper situation has become a major talking point. Just days before the crucial match, United have made a £18 million move to sign 23-year-old Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, rather than pursuing the more experienced Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.

At the same time, the club has been working on an agreement to allow their £47 million signing Andre Onana to leave on loan to Turkish club Trabzonspor. This means United's current starting goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, will likely continue between the sticks, despite making costly errors in the first three Premier League games of the season.

The pressure on United's goalkeepers is immense, as any mistake is heavily scrutinized and criticized by fans and the media. Former United defender Phil Jones emphasized the need for a goalkeeper at the club to have "rhino skin" to deal with the intense spotlight.

While Onana was initially seen as United's long-term solution in goal, his struggles in his debut season have led to a loss of faith from the coaching staff. The club now appears to be prioritizing Lammens' potential over Onana's experience, hoping the young Belgian can develop into their future number one in the next few years.

As United prepare to face their city rivals, the uncertainty around their goalkeeping situation adds an extra layer of intrigue to the high-stakes derby match.