A shifting picture at Old Trafford as Manchester United are still looking for a new goalkeeper
Manchester United are in a period of transition. Decisions across the squad will shape this season and the next. While the focus often falls on attack or defence, the goalkeeper position has taken centre stage in recent weeks. The issue surfaced after Andre Onana left on loan to Trabzonspor, which left Ruben Amorim with fewer options in a demanding campaign.
United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, but questions remain about his ability to become a dependable Premier League starter. Altay Bayindir has taken the role for now, but his inconsistent displays have sparked debate among supporters and analysts.
According to Ben Jacobs, who spoke on The United Stand, Ruben Amorim has pressed the club hierarchy to bring in another goalkeeper next summer, even after the acquisition of Lammens. Jacobs said Amorim plans to give the Belgians chances in the coming months, especially before Christmas and the New Year.
However, he believes the club still need a new number one for the long term. He added that Bayindir could leave and that Onana is unlikely to stay, which makes the 2026 window a critical moment. The potential shortlist already carries familiar names, with Emiliano Martinez still under consideration after failed talks last summer and Mike Maignan drawing attention as he runs down his AC Milan contract. All of this leaves Manchester United at another crossroads. It feels similar to when we reported earlier that United’s name was linked to Kane, and just as the club appear ready to let Jadon Sancho leave for free in 2026.
“I think Ruben Amorim is pushing for a number one goalkeeper, but he’s got Senne Lammens to test out first. After Andre Onana went to Turkey, it’s Bayindir and Lammens, so from those two, one of them has to be given the confidence to be the Man United number one, and I’m told that it’ll be Lammens between now and the festive period.
“There will be another goalkeeper as far as I’m aware coming in 2026 because Bayindir could leave and because Onana is likely to depart. They’ve got a judgment call to make: do they come back for Emi Martinez – more likely in summer than January – but knowing the price will have dropped? That’s one possibility. And Mike Maignan, the links are just there because he’s going to be a free transfer as it stands.”
Assessing the next steps
The wider picture shows that United’s current goalkeeping pool is far from secure. The Turkey international has shown few patches of his ability but looked unconvincing, and his hesitancy with high balls has already caused concern. Meanwhile, Lammens is a promising Belgian youth international but remains untested in the Premier League.
Expecting him to step straight into the spotlight looks overly optimistic. Sources close to the club suggest United want to develop him carefully rather than rush him into a role that could overwhelm him too soon. Because of this, the idea of adding another experienced option stays alive, and the club could make a move in January if the market allows.
The strongest likelihood, however, is that the serious search resumes in the summer of 2026, when Martinez may again be available for a reduced fee and when Maignan could be picked up on a free transfer. United had explored bringing Martinez in during the most recent window, even reaching an agreement on personal terms, only to see Aston Villa block the approach.
That move highlighted the tension between short-term solutions and long-term planning, a theme that runs through many of the club’s choices. For now, United will stick with Bayindir and Lammens while fans wait to see if the gamble pays off. Yet the feeling remains that another goalkeeper will arrive soon, because Amorim wants certainty instead of another patchwork fix.