Manchester United’s goalkeeping woes are hitting a new low, especially when it comes to penalties! Andre Onana’s recent performances have fans questioning everything, leading the club to consider new options. Could a fresh face solve their defensive dilemma, or will the penalty drama continue?
Manchester United’s ongoing goalkeeping struggles have become undeniably apparent, signaling an urgent need for strategic change within the squad. Recent performances from both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana have done little to reassure fans or management, intensifying scrutiny on the club’s defensive solidity and future recruitment.
Altay Bayindir was initially given the opportunity to stake his claim, starting the first two matches of the season. However, his displays failed to inspire confidence or provide the stability required, leaving more questions unanswered than issues resolved regarding the crucial number one spot.
Andre Onana’s turn came in a vital cup fixture against Grimsby, a chance for him to demonstrate his capabilities. Unfortunately, his performance was equally underwhelming; he conceded a soft near-post effort that put Grimsby ahead, failing to adequately deal with a saveable shot despite getting a hand to it.
The match further highlighted Onana’s significant difficulties in penalty shootouts. Despite his heroics in the 2024 FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, where he proved instrumental, the Grimsby game revealed a stark contrast in his penalty-saving prowess, raising concerns about his consistency under pressure.
During the recent shootout, Onana managed to save only one out of twelve penalties taken against him. While he did get a hand to five of the shots, four of those still found the back of the net, underscoring a critical lack of power or conviction in his efforts to divert the ball away from goal.
This is where the potential acquisition of Senne Lammens comes into sharp focus for Manchester United. Sofascore data explicitly highlights Lammens’ strength in saving penalties, an area where Onana has visibly struggled. Last season alone, Lammens successfully saved four penalties, a statistic that undoubtedly piques United’s interest.
The timing of these goalkeeping issues suggests that had Manchester United addressed the position more proactively, Senne Lammens could have potentially been in contention to start against Grimsby. Unfortunately, he will not be signed in time to feature in the upcoming crucial match against Burnley, leaving the immediate goalkeeping dilemma unresolved.