Ruben Amorim has already confirmed that Altay Bayindir will start the Manchester derby, although it is a decision that has raised some eyebrows.
Since the beginning of the 2025/26 season, Altay Bayindir has started in every Premier League match for Manchester United.
The Turkey international was selected ahead of Andre Onana, who reported for pre-season with a hamstring injury before falling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
More questions were asked of Onana following the arrival of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. The 23-year-old has moved to Old Trafford with limited experience but is expected to compete with Bayindir to become the first-choice goalkeeper.
Onana completed a loan move to Trabzonspor during the international break, with some United players relieved that Amorim has got rid of a squad ‘problem’.
Amorim hopes United can concede fewer goals from avoidable goalkeeping mistakes.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesPundit slams decision to start Altay Bayindir vs Man City
Much like how Amorim has dealt with new striker Benjamin Sesko, Lammens will not be rushed into the starting line-up.
Amorim confirmed Bayindir will start against City during Friday’s press conference.
This decision has led to criticism from former Netherlands international Johan Boskamp, who writes for a Dutch-language regional newspaper in Belgium.
Boskamp cannot understand why Amorim would not use his new goalkeeper immediately since Bayindir has hardly impressed in the games he’s played in.
“I would have started him straight away, because that Turkish goalkeeper (Altay Bayindir) is playing like a bun,” Boskamp said via Het Belang van Limburg.
“Nonsense! We’re talking about Manchester United here,” he added when it was suggested Amorim wants to use him in a match with less pressure.
“One of the most media-covered clubs in the world. Whoever they play, there’s always going to be pressure. Every little mistake is magnified. That’s just part of being a club. If you can’t handle that, you shouldn’t sign with them.”
Lammens has only arrived at the club and, with such limited experience, Amorim’s decision should be excused. He’ll get his chance to debut in the coming weeks.
Man City have goalkeeper issue ahead of derby
United are not the only team with goalkeeper issues going into the Manchester derby.
Man City forked out an initial £27 million to bring James Trafford back to the club, before spending another £26 million on Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was linked with a move to United earlier this summer.
Guardiola has yet to decide whether Donnarumma will make his debut in the derby, especially with Trafford struggling to replace Ederson since his return.
Hopefully, City’s problems between the sticks prove more costly this weekend.