Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has some more major thinking to do ahead of their game against Chelsea on Saturday evening, as he aims to stop the rot that is engulfing the Red Devils at present – and he needs to make one key change if they are to flourish.
The Old Trafford outfit were demolished by local rivals Manchester City on Sunday, losing 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium and only looking like an attacking threat once City had scored all three of their goals. It leaves them 14th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone and in serious danger of missing out on European football if they carry on the way that they have.
Lammens Should Come in Over Altay Bayindir for Man Utd vs Chelsea
There will be some changes afoot. Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha are both returning from injury, which will give Amorim some serious threat going forward, but it’s changes across the pitch that will determine whether they can keep Chelsea out – with the Blues having scored in nine of their previous 11 Premier League games.
However, despite suggestions that Kobbie Mainoo should come into the centre of the park for a change up in midfield structure after his absence against Pep Guardiola’s team, it’s the arrival of Senne Lammens that will need to be introduced into the starting XI after he missed out against City.
Altay Bayindir has been the Reds’ starting goalkeeper for the past few weeks, playing in all four of their Premier League games, but the Turkish star hasn’t covered himself in glory. He was feeble for Arsenal’s goal on the opening weekend of the season, was somewhat at fault for Burnley’s second in their eventual win over the Clarets, and could have reacted quicker to Erling Haaland’s first at the weekend.
With that in mind, it could be time to put Lammens in goal. The crowd will be much more responsive to any slight errors he makes at Old Trafford instead of being at a raucous away stadium, and ahead of potential fixtures where United will be expected to do well at Brentford and Sunderland, it could be the baptism of fire that he needs to fully take the reins as their first-choice goalkeeper.
Lammens’ Potential Should Put Him in the Starting XI Ahead of Bayindir
Bayindir, in his defence, has not had it easy. He’s come into the worst United side since the 1980s, coming in off some error-clad performances by Andre Onana, and has done relatively well throughout his United career.
Fans won’t forget his performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup back in January where he kept the Gunners out on penalties to continue United’s strong recent record in the competition, but Lammens coming in with a point to prove means that he will be extremely hungry to pick up the first-choice shirt.
Lammens made 44 appearances for Royal Antwerp last season and was their first-choice goalkeeper in the opening stretches of the current campaign, so he’s had the most game time between himself and Bayindir in the past few months – which means he’s ready to be thrust into the first-team picture for the visit of Enzo Maresca’s men.
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