Manchester United’s goalkeeping debate refuses to go away.
Altay Bayindir has now started two Premier League games in a row, but questions are already being raised about whether he is the right man to hold the gloves.
After a mixed display against Arsenal and another shaky outing in the 1-1 draw with Fulham, Rio Ferdinand has stepped in with a warning that could concern fans.
Bayindir, trusted by Ruben Amorim ahead of Andre Onana, made one key save at Craven Cottage but looked far from convincing when dealing with balls into the box.
With talks reportedly ongoing for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, the pressure around United’s No.1 spot is only growing.
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What Rio Ferdinand said about Man Utd goalkeeper
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand was clear about where Bayindir needs to improve. “We look shaky. The goalkeeper doesn’t fill me with massive confidence,” he admitted. “From set pieces, even outside of the goal, he’s coming for things that are 50-50 and he’s not sure.”
Ferdinand urged United’s staff to work on Bayindir’s aerial command: “I’d be getting him out on the pitch every day and smashing balls under the crossbar. He’s got to get used to it, he’s got to get used to contact.”
The former defender also questioned his communication, saying: “I don’t think he talks enough, he doesn’t make people aware of what’s going on and then his decision-making hasn’t been good enough.”
With United already chasing stability after missing out on Europe last season, the goalkeeping issue has become a sore spot.
A team cannot win trophies if its keeper struggles to command the box — no matter how many corners the attack earns, it’s the ones at the other end that count.
For now, Bayindir has the gloves, but as Ferdinand suggests, one flaw could soon prove very costly for United’s season.
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