Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has warned Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim that he cannot select goalkeeper Altay Bayindir again this season, citing the Turkish international's inability to deal with set-pieces. Burley described Bayindir as 'absolutely useless' when facing balls into the box, a weakness he believes will be exploited by opponents.
United have endured a turbulent period in goal since signing Andre Onana for £47m in 2023, with the Cameroonian making several high-profile errors. Onana is now reportedly close to joining Trabzonspor on a season-long loan, while the club has signed promising Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for around £18m on deadline day.
Burley told ESPN: 'Altay Bayindir, they can't play him. He might be okay at shot-stopping, but he's absolutely useless at dealing with balls in from set-pieces.' He added that Lammens must show authority and command his area, warning that failure to do so could lead to a 'mess' at the club.
Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster, however, described Lammens' signing as a 'panic buy', stating that the club needed a goalkeeper with 'broad shoulders'. Foster said: 'A deadline day goalkeeper signing tells me that your club is desperate.'
Burley also criticised Onana, claiming the former Inter Milan star has 'got worse' since arriving at Old Trafford and lacked the ability to marshal a back four. He had hoped Onana would possess a 'Peter Schmeichel-esque aura' but said it 'hasn't happened'.
