Onana transfer does not solve Amorim's major Manchester United problem

Andre Onana may have gone on a season-long loan to Trabzonspor, but his Manchester United exit has not provided an immediate solution to Ruben Amorim's goalkeeping dilemma

If Ruben Amorim thought his goalkeeping issues would be solved by sending Andre Onana out on loan, he would be advised to think again. Error-prone Onana flew from Paris to Trabzon to complete his season-long loan move from Manchester United to Trabzonspor on Thursday, after two lamentable seasons at Old Trafford

When it comes to costly flops at United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Onana is up there with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Jadon Sancho and Antony, all of whom have permanent residency in the Old Trafford hall of shame.

United bought Onana from Inter Milan for £47million, despite him having been a free agent a year earlier at Ajax. Due diligence and shrewd investment are, it seems, still hard to come by in the corridors of power at United.

Onana's two years as United's No.1 were marked with high-profile blunders, his long overdue departure a relief for players and fans who had known for some time he was more of a liability than an asset.

But even with Onana now out of the picture, Amorim still faces a conundrum between the posts, in terms of who to pick in goal for Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium – Altay Bayindir or new signing Senne Lammens.

Throwing £18.2million deadline day signing Lammens into the heat of a Manchester derby for his Premier League debut is a risky move, one sources close to Amorim say the United head coach is unlikely to make.

If Amorim did pick Lammens on Sunday and the 23-year-old keeper were to make a mistake, the United boss would be criticised for not giving him time to settle in and adapt, after just a handful of training sessions.

Yet Bayindir, 27, has not looked convincing this season and was guilty of errors against Arsenal and Burnley. But he will know what to expect at City, given his greater experience, in contrast to Lammens.

Against that backdrop, Amorim is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, whoever ultimately gets the nod on Sunday. Yet one thing is certain and that is that Lammens is viewed as United's No.1 keeper in the years ahead.

United sources have disclosed that he was not identified and signed with the expectation that he would go straight into the starting line-up, but his potential was recognised amid a belief he can grow into the role long-term.

The major strength Lammens brings is his shot-stopping ability. No keeper across Europe's top 10 leagues has saved more penalties – five from seven faced – than the Belgium Under-21 star since the start of last season.

Lammens is also arguably stronger in the air than Bayindir and more comfortable in congested areas, when teams try to target the opposition goalkeeper, blocking him from trying to come for the ball. Lammens stopped 44 crosses last season, more than any other keeper in Belgium, underlining his confidence in coming out for the ball.

There would appear to be many long-term positives from United's acquisition of Lammens and the offloading of Onana, but that does not provide an immediate solution to Amorim's problems.

Establishing a recognised No.1, as United had in the past with Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and David De Gea, all of whom became club legends, will be the first step towards doing that.