New arrivals and major errors have led to goalkeeping dilemmas on both sides of Manchester ahead of the derby at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
In the blue corner, Champions League winner and Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma has joined Pep Guardiola’s squad, throwing James Trafford’s spot in the starting line-up into question despite only signing from Burnley in July.
In the red corner, Senne Lammens’ £18.2m arrival from Royal Antwerp on Deadline Day sealed the immediate future of Andre Onana after a catalogue of high-profile mistakes, with a move to Trabzonspor now confirmed for the Cameroon international.
Amorim has since confirmed Altay Bayindir will retain his role in the starting line-up for the derby, insisting it is time to show faith in the Turkey goalkeeper in the face of new competition from their newest recruit.
Sunday 14th September 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Two bitter rivals sharing the same predicament with the goalkeeping position in full focus.
Here, Sky Sports discusses the cases for each goalkeeper…
Bayindir gets Amorim’s backing
“Altay [Bayindir] is going to continue because we need to,” Amorim said ahead of the game against City.
“This game is clear. Altay will start. It’s a show of faith in Altay.”
The United boss has been forced to publicly back Bayindir yet again, after already seeing his starting credentials questioned following errors against both Burnley and Arsenal.
The 1-0 defeat to Mikel Arteta’s side arrived from a Riccardo Calafiori header after Bayindir failed to command his area, while victory was almost snatched away against Burnley when Bayindir spilled the ball back into his own penalty area for Jaidon Anthony to tap home.
Bayindir now has the backing from his boss but needs to repay that faith with a solid display at the Etihad.
Lammens waiting in the wings
Bayindir will need to take the opportunity ahead of him with Lammens now waiting in the wings, eager to impress.
The numbers have backed up the signing of the 23-year-old. Whether the eye test matches his impressive statistics remains to be seen.
No goalkeeper made more saves in Europe’s top 10 leagues last season during his 30 appearances in the Belgian Pro League. He also had one of the highest goals-prevented metrics in Europe and made the most progressive passes for any goalkeeper under the age of 23.
Sky Sports News reported the Belgian was viewed as a long-term project at Old Trafford, although Onana’s departure could fast-track his pathway to the No 1 shirt.
A debut in the derby has been clearly been deemed too much of a risk by Amorim – but it will not be long before Lammens is given a chance to impress.
Donnarumma in the deep end?
Breaking into the AC Milan squad as a teenager, playing at the San Siro against rivals Inter at 16, two penalty saves in the shoot-out against England to guide Italy to the Euros title in 2021, Champions League hero and a two-time Yashin Trophy winner.
A debut in the Manchester derby would not faze Donnarumma. He is made for the big occasion.
There have been questions raised about whether the 26-year-old fits Guardiola’s style of play, but the City boss has insisted he is not expecting the 26-year-old to replicate Ederson’s ability with the ball at his feet.
“I always try to adapt to the quality of the players,” said Guardiola at his press conference ahead of the derby.
“I wouldn’t demand ‘Gigi’ do something he is uncomfortable with. We are talking about the best (goalkeeper) I have ever seen with distribution, short and long passes, in Ederson.
“We didn’t take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality.”
That quality is shot-stopping. City have faced 15 shots on target across the opening three games, the most of any side in the top flight, meaning Donnarumma’s strength in this area will be welcomed with open arms by Guardiola and his staff.
United lead the league in shots taken so far this season (56) and come in at second behind Liverpool for shots on target (15). Right now, City need a goalkeeper to address that threat. Donnarumma is the perfect option.
His ability on the ball and other topics of debate are a discussion for another day.
Trafford trusted?
On the other hand, you could argue Trafford deserves the opportunity to impress in the derby.
He enjoyed a steady start to his return to City, two years after leaving the club to join Burnley, having kept a clean sheet in the season opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, a major error against Tottenham leading to the second goal of the afternoon during a 2-0 defeat, as well as another loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, has cast an unwanted spotlight on the 22-year-old.
“He is a keeper for Man City. I can only play one keeper,” Guardiola added on Trafford now facing competition from Donnarumma.
Despite the error and the new arrival, Trafford can still stake his claim to remain between the sticks for City.
Only Guglielmo Vicario has made more saves than the City ‘keeper across the opening three games, while he also comes in at second for goals prevented in the top flight.
Trafford is a solid shot-stopper, capable of the extraordinary, as his tipped save against Brighton showed.
Donnarumma could provide healthy and high-quality competition for the academy graduate, rather than displacing him immediately.
Watch Manchester City vs Manchester United live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event on Sunday from 4pm; kick-off 4.30pm
