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New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Shopping for Amorim and Man Utd: Martinez, Chevalier and other goalkeeping options
Welcome to another edition of 'Shopping for Amorim', where we look into areas that Manchester United's head coach may look to strengthen before the summer window shuts on September 1. Part one of this series looked at strikers. Part two went over central midfielders. Part three was initially going to cover wing-backs until a hamstring injury to Andre Onana ruled him out of playing in the club's upcoming pre-season tour in the United States. Advertisement The 29-year-old Cameroon international's absence makes an already-complicated goalkeeping situation even more complex. Patchy form and dips in confidence saw Onana fall out of fan favour towards the end of last season, second-choice Altay Bayindir has looked uncertain on the few occasions he has played in the Premier League and third-choice Tom Heaton is now 39. Radek Vitek made 28 appearances for Austrian top-flight side BW Linz on loan last season and could go out again. Onana had looked set to begin the season as United's No 1 goalkeeper but the club have been monitoring several options for the position. As David Ornstein reported in The DealSheet on Tuesday, if a goalkeeper is acquired, it does not necessarily mean Andre Onana will depart. Some of the players in our shopping list are seen as potential deputies, others as potential competitors for the starting spot. Here's an attempt at sourcing Amorim-friendly goalkeepers. Amorim primarily had Antonio Adan between the posts during his four and a half years managing Portugal's Sporting CP and, to put it very bluntly, enjoys goalkeepers of the 'vanilla ice cream' variety. Dependable. Unfussy. To the point. That is not to say United couldn't benefit from having one who can do all of things his predecessor Erik ten Hag hoped Onana would offer when the Cameroonian arrived at Old Trafford from Inter of Italy in 2023, but Amorim's interpretation of a 3-4-3 system reduces the need for the goalkeeper to be an active participant in early build-up, given much of the play is orchestrated by the back three and wing-backs. An Amorim goalkeeper is typically a burly shot-stopper who has a reasonable-to-good command of his six-yard box. (Please note that both previous 'Shopping for Amorim' pieces this season have suggested that an Amorim-friendly player is tall and physically aggressive.) Last month, The Athletic explored United's interest in Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, Martinez is a quality goalkeeper who ranks among the Premier League's best when claiming high balls. There was a noticeable dip in his form last season after the turn of the calendar year but the 32-year-old represents a pragmatic option to people at United. Advertisement John Victor, 29, of Botafogo has also been scouted. The 6ft 5in (196cm) Brazilian was most recently seen at the Club World Cup, and is noteworthy for his passing distribution over longer distances. John opts for driven, long balls into the middle and final thirds rather than the floatier lobs of Martinez and others. His possible signing would be as a second-choice goalkeeper rather than a ready-made starter in the Premier League. Andrii Lunin has served as Thibaut Courtois' deputy at Real Madrid for the past five years, and the 26-year-old Ukraine international is one of the best second-choice goalkeepers in club football. A serious knee injury to Courtois saw him take over Madrid's goalkeeping duties for the majority of the 2023-24 season — 12 clean sheets in 32 matches followed (10 in his 21 La Liga appearances). Lunin is a no-nonsense goalkeeper. He combines sensible footwork and sharp reflexes to make saves such as this one against Osasuna in March 2024. He's also good at making himself big when smothering those who seek to score from crosses and cutbacks, as demonstrated here against Valencia in that same month. Some of Lunin's saves are reminiscent of a young David de Gea, contorting his legs into a 'long barrier' cricket-fielder manoeuvre to block low shots fired in towards the near post. Madrid's 5-1 victory against Valencia in November 2023 saw an excellent example of this. We've cued up the following YouTube video at 42 seconds, so you can watch the save in full flow. Don't have time to watch the video? Look at how Lunin moves after Hugo Duro nabs the ball inside the penalty area. First, there's his proactive stance as the Valencia striker prepares to turn and face the goal… … then there's the quick collapse of his legs to stop Duro's shot from going under him. Lunin went on to defy Duro again in the game during a one-v-one, setting himself up well when he was put through on goal… … before eventually smothering the shot. Lunin even holds onto the ball. When it comes to his distribution, Lunin keeps it simple, largely as a result of directives from Madrid's head coach for the past four seasons, Carlo Ancelotti, and the quality Madrid possessed in central midfield. See that 14 per cent patch of open play passes on the second pitch in the graphic below? That's Lunin wisely deciding to pass the ball to Toni Kroos when the option was on. Lunin has already fared well under the bright lights and scrutiny of life at Madrid, and if he is to make a move this summer, it will be to somewhere that will make him the club's undisputed No 1. His performances across that 2023-24 season show he is ready to make the leap from understudy to leading man. Could United provide a soft enough landing for his career's next step? Senne Lammens only turned 23 a couple of weeks ago and is yet to make his senior Belgium debut, but has garnered attention for his performances at Royal Antwerp. He comes out well in a numbers check, helping his side keep 10 clean sheets across 44 appearances last season. One way to quantify a goalkeeper's shot-stopping abilities is to examine their performance relative to post-shot expected goals (xGOT), a metric that estimates the quality of on-target shots given their placement within the goalframe, the angle from which they were taken and the distance from the target. This helps us measure how frequently the statistically average goalkeeper would save each attempt faced. Advertisement Comparing xGOT with the number of goals a 'keeper actually concedes can help us to see how well they are keeping out efforts. (Or, to put the above paragraph another way, the football analytics people have figured out how to quantify the 'he'll be disappointed not to have saved that' commentators' call after, say, a ball trickles past a goalkeeper at the near post.) A look across the Belgian Pro League and the top seven European domestic top flights (your traditional 'Big Five' of England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France, plus Portugal and the Netherlands), Lammens emerges as one of the continent's better shot-stoppers. There's good reason to believe he prevented Antwerp from conceding more than a dozen additional goals last season. Now, to apply some caveats. The above graphic cannot serve as the be-all and end-all of a goalkeeper's quality. Lammens made a lot of saves last season but the xGOT stat cannot quantify the defensive actions a good 'keeper can make without having to put their hands, feet or other body parts in the way of a ball coming their way. Great United goalkeepers such as Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel had the tactical acumen to manoeuvre their defences in such a way that opposition attacking opportunities were stopped before they had to make a save. Goalkeepers can intimidate strikers into poor shooting decisions with a good stare-down. So yes, Lammens made a lot of saves in 2024-25, but part of that is due to Antwerp's leaky defence. They finished fifth (of 16) during the Belgian Pro League's regular season, having conceded 32 goals in their 30 matches. They were then fifth again (of six) in the champions' play-offs after playing an additional 10 games, registering that round's second-worst defence. (Want to know more about the play-off system in the Belgian leagues? Check out the video from our team at Tifo below.) Opponents enjoyed multiple shots on target against Antwerp and Lammens just about kept their head above water, making numerous saves per match. A quick example of his technique can be found in February's home game against Club Brugge. Lammens has a good position on the edge of his six-yard box when Christos Tzolis is played through… … and when the attacker takes a heavy touch, Lammens pushes up to close the gap. By the time Tzolis regathers the ball, Lammens has unfurled his body to block the shot. Lammens' technique here is good, rather than great, however, and it still requires an Antwerp defender to clear the ball after his initial save. There's quality in Lammens' technique but perhaps not at the level to immediately take over as United's No 1 for the upcoming season if he is signed this summer. At 6ft 4in (193cm), he certainly has the height required to become an intimidating goalkeeper, and his distribution when the ball is at his feet is solid. Advertisement Still, there are questions over how his abilities could scale up in the Premier League, where faster, smarter and more deceptive attackers are less likely to take heavy touches when put through on goal. The good news for those at United? Lammens appears open to the idea of life at Old Trafford. 'The first time I heard it (a transfer link to the club), I thought: 'Wow', because I've only played one full season at Antwerp,' he told Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen in mid-February. 'If something comes along that I can hardly say no to and that will benefit the club, I'll have to think about it seriously.' The complicated news? That part comes from Antwerp's sporting director Marc Overmars… 'The transfer of Senne Lammens has to happen, because we've already signed his replacement (Taishi Brandon Nozawa of FC Tokyo arrived in June),' Overmars told the same outlet this month. 'We'd rather not see a Butez-Lammens scenario again (Jean Butez lost his place to Lammens last season and was sold to Como of Italy three weeks ago). 'Senne is our most sought-after player. There are plenty of clubs ready to make a move.' Lammens is available for a relatively affordable price. That fact may mean United will have to compete with other clubs, should they make a move in his direction. United appeared close to signing goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Uruwa Red Diamonds two seasons ago, but he rejected the move and was then loaned to Sint-Truidense for the 2023-24 season. He kept six clean sheets in 50 appearances for the Belgian club before signing for Parma of Italy. The American-born 22-year-old's standout trait is his distribution. His technique on goal kicks is remarkable; firing long, drilled passes well past the halfway line and — on occasions — all the way into the final third. If Suzuki can see you in space before a goal kick, there's a good chance he can get you the ball. His passing skills in open play are layered and frankly brilliant. He's fond of the chipped through ball to the full-back that has become a go-to move for modern goalkeepers looking to beat the first wave of pressure. His hands? He isn't bad with them, either. Suzuki was one of Serie A's best goalkeepers when it came to claiming high balls and he has earned plaudits for his quick reactions and knack for double saves. هذا ما يُسمى تصديًا إعجازيًا 😱 📏#الدوري_الإيطالي — الدوري الايطالي (@SerieA_AR) February 18, 2025 Turning 23 next month, this is a goalkeeper likely to rank among the world's best by the end of the decade. In 2023, The Athletic highlighted Lucas Chevalier as one of Europe's most exciting players under the age of 25. Why? Because the Lille goalkeeper can do things like this. You need to know about this goalkeeper 🚨 Lucas Chevalier is only 23 😳@losclive | #UCL — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 14, 2024 Now 23, Chevalier is perhaps the most highly-rated goalkeeper on this shortlist and has been scouted by Newcastle United. The 2022-23 season served as his breakout campaign, when Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1 and he conceded a mere 31 goals in 32 games, while keeping 10 clean sheets. Chevalier is pushing hard for inclusion in Didier Deschamps' France team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He is not yet the finished article (he has a tendency to spill some saves, leading to rebound opportunities — similar to Onana and Porto's Diogo Costa) but ticks so many boxes he'll surely be on the move to a bigger club soon. Advertisement There's an amphibious quality to his many forays outside of the traditional goalkeeper's habitat of the six-yard box. Chevalier has no issue shooting off his line to serve as a sweeper when Lille require an additional outfield defender, and he is very comfortable passing the ball from outside of his penalty area when operating as an extra centre-back during early build-up. While Chevalier's passing distribution is not at the level Onana's was during his one season with Inter in 2022-23, his repertoire is good and rapidly growing towards excellent. When Lille face teams who play with a high defensive line, it often falls to their goalkeeper to get the ball into the final third with low, driven goal kicks into the channels for onrushing attackers. Acquiring him would be costly for United, so he should best be considered one for the 'If Sir Jim wins the Euromillions' list. 𝟵𝟬'+𝟵: A save that's worth a goal @_lc30_ 🧤✨ @LOSC_EN — Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 20, 2023 To put it bluntly: Chevalier is a Pep Guardiola goalkeeper hiding in plain sight. If Onana can perform anywhere near his levels from 2022-23, then Amorim has little need to go into the market for a new goalie this summer. Yet his current injury has thrown a wrench into whatever early plans the head coach had sketched out for the start of the season. Goalkeepers thrive when they're confident, and they often feel that way in stable environments where there is trust between them and the team-mates playing further up the pitch. Onana enjoyed little of that last season; several unfortunate mistakes sowed doubts about him among the United fanbase. Organising a drink-up in a brewery requires more health and safety planning than one might expect. Identifying a goalkeeper capable of flourishing at United requires a similar amount of logistical groundwork. Not to mention the need for future-proofing other areas to avoid future headaches. United have a composure problem between the sticks at the moment. Amorim and United's recruitment team will hope to bring certainty and clarity before 2025-26 begins in earnest in just over three weeks. (Top photos: Chevalier, left, and Luinin; Getty Images)
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd may have identified long term Andre Onana replacement for NOTHING as he follows two England stars footsteps
FOR KEEPS Man Utd may have identified long term Andre Onana replacement for NOTHING as he follows two England stars footsteps MANCHESTER UNITED teenage goalkeeper Elyh Harrison is following in the footsteps of Dean Henderson after joining Shrewsbury Town on loan. After showing plenty of potential at youth level, United have now decided the next step in Harrison's development is for him to get regular game time in the EFL for the first time. 4 Manchester United goalkeeper Elyh Harrison has joined Shrewbury Town Credit: Getty Henderson ground his way through four EFL clubs before finally securing a Premier League starting spot at Crystal Palace - where he won the FA Cup last season. And an England call-up quickly came too, with many United fans wishing Henderson wasn't let go in the same summer that Andre Onana joined. United had loaned Henderson out to Stockport Grimsby, Shrewsbury, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest, with David de Gea the permanent No.1 between the sticks. But he was sold to Palace for £20million at the end of the summer 2023 window, with then manager Erik ten Hag securing Onana for £47million from Inter Milan. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS OFF THE MARC Rashford BANNED from playing for Barcelona initially amid registration issues But Onana has fallen short of expectations, with Harrison, the next big thing in United's goalkeeping ranks, walking in the path Henderson laid out. Harrison, who joined United's academy from Stevenage in 2022, spent the first half of last season on loan at non-league outfit Chester, keeping seven clean sheets in 18 appearances. He was due to spend the duration of the 2024/25 term at the National League North outfit, but United recalled him in January to train with the first-team and feature for the academy. The 19-year-old was named on the bench eight times by boss Ruben Amorim after being recalled. 4 Dean Henderson spent the 2017-2018 on loan at Shrewsbury Town from Man Utd Credit: Reuters 4 Andre Onana's spot is under threat Credit: Getty Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford He has featured for the Red Devils' under-21 side but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League club. Shrewsbury director of football Micky Moore says the England Under-20 international has a "bright future" after monitoring his progress last season. Man Utd hunting Jackson as Chelsea's demands revealed | Transfers Exposed Moore said: "I'm really excited that we've signed Elyh. He's someone we've targeted since last season ended and I think he's got a bright future. "We watched him play at Chester last year and continued to watch him when he went back to play for United's Under-21s. "We think he's got all the right characteristics and that this could be a very good loan for him. "Michael [Appleton] wanted to get him in the building as soon as possible, so I'm really happy to get it over the line because it was a tough process due to the amount of interest in the player." Meanwhile, the first team were reportedly "rebuffed immediately" in their attempts to sign Aston Villa's No.1 Emi Martinez this week. United have also been linked with young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens, 23, from Antwerp, who is valued at around £17million. Amorim has been eyeing a replacement for Onana even before the Cameroonian stopper suffered an hamstring injury in pre-season. Lammens ended the season with an eye-catching 173 saves, which works out to 4.3 saves per match and a solid 78 per cent save rate.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Romano bomb: Man Utd set to choose between ‘best in the world' and up-and-comer
Manchester United are looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, but they must now choose between two contrasting profiles. In the summer of 2023, the Red Devils paid £47.5 million to buy Andre Onana from Inter Milan, while also acquiring Altay Bayindir for a significantly lower figure to serve as a backup Sadly for the club, the Cameroonian has developped a knack for committing shocking blunders, while the Turk hasn't been brilliant in his understudy role either. Therefore, something has to be done about the goalkeeping department this summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, Man Utd have trimmed their choices to two, with each leading to a vastly different profile. Man United has two main options for the goalkeeper role In the most recent video posted on his official YouTube channel, the Italian journalist explained that MUFC will now turn their attention towards signing a new striker and a goalkeeper after securing an agreement with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo. When it comes to the shot-stopper, Romano reveals that the club is now facing a dilemma: Bring in a young goalkeeper who can develop while acting as Onana's understudy, or pursue a more experienced profile. (Photo by) The first option would lead to Senne Lammens, a 23-year-old Belgian who has been making waves at Royal Antwerp. Romano reveals that INEOS have an excellent relationship with the player's entourage, which could facilitate the move. Man Utd to choose between Senne Lammens & Emiliano Martinez On the other hand, Emiliano Martinez represents the experienced option. The 32-year-old has been at Aston Villa since making the move from Arsenal in 2020. The Argentinian was instrumental for his nation in the 2022 World Cup triumph, as well as the back-to-back Copa America victories. Hence, Leo Messi hailed him as 'the best goalkeeper in the world'. But while Martinez would be open to joining Man Utd, the Villans won't relinquish his services easily, especially if he's set to join a direct Premier League rival. Therefore, one would argue that Lammens is the more plausible option, as Man Utd might not be able to afford Martinez, or even accommodate him in the same squad with Onana who might be destined to stay at Carrington after all.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Man United FAIL in their shock bid for Emi Martinez as Red Devils scramble to solve their goalkeeper problem with Andre Onana sidelined for the start of the season
Manchester United have failed in a shock attempt to sign Emi Martinez on loan as they look to solve their goalkeeper conundrum. With Andre Onana ruled out for the start of the new Premier League season due to a torn hamstring, United boss Ruben Amorim needs a top-quality option between the posts to stiffen his side's spine. Amorim has added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo to his squad. The Portuguese head coach had set his sights on Argentine World Cup winner Martinez to provide the third leg of his summer rebuild. It is understood United held discussions over the weekend about signing the 32-year-old who, ironically, was sent-off in the final match of last season at Old Trafford when Villa lost 2-0 and missed out on a Champions League spot. The prospect of a loan for Martinez, who earlier this summer rebuffed the chance to join the Saudi Pro League, was put to Villa officials over the weekend but it was met with incredulity and rebuffed immediately. Martinez was rewarded with a long-term contract 12 months ago, one which runs until 2029, and there would be nothing for them to gain by allowing him to join United on a temporary basis. United, who are also looking at Antwerp's Senne Lammens, are staying tight-lipped on the situation, while Villa have stressed they have not received any contact. Villa value their vice-captain in the region of £40million but whether United would be willing – or able – to meet that figure is open to debate. It is a situation that is expected to play out over the coming weeks.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim sent clear message from Andre Onana's potential replacement
Andre Onana is currently out of action with a hamstring injury and Ruben Amorim gave opportunities to Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton in Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Leeds Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has outlined his desire for more game time, with regular No. 1 Andre Onana currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. United are hopeful that Onana will be fit for their Premier League opener, but it remains to be seen if he will recover in time. As a result, Altay Bayindir and Heaton were both given 45 minutes to impress in United's first pre-season friendly, a 0-0 draw with Leeds in Sweden. And Heaton impressed after replacing Bayindir for the second half, making a pair of important saves to keep out efforts from Jayden Bogle and Largie Ramazani. The 39-year-old signed a new one-year deal with United earlier this month and is confident that he can "deliver performances" when called on. Speaking to MUTV after the draw with Leeds, Heaton said: "That has always been my message. "When the opportunity came to stay for another year in the summer, as always, the priority is to try and get in the shirt. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could do that and go and deliver performances. "I hope today showed that. Competition for places is exactly what we want. This is Manchester United Football Club and it should be [competitive] in every single position. "You are competing against everyone else in the world because that is the reach of this football club. For me, it is about performing, working every day, taking the opportunity when it comes and hopefully keep showing the manager what I am capable of." Heaton previously spoke about wanting to play more this season after his new deal was confirmed, with the former England international stating: "My priority is playing and working hard to try and get in the team. "That's always the priority, but as a senior player, and someone who signed at 11, left aged 24 and came back at 35, the values of this football club are ingrained inside me and I want to make sure that new players who come into the building have an understanding of what the club means to the fans, what the traditions are, what the values are, as well as accepting that it also requires a period to evolve. "I see that as part of my role, being supportive. Even with the new players, Matheus [Cunha] and Diego [Leon] coming through the door, offering that support if they need anything. I think it's about driving yourself and people see that, so people see that when you're at it, you're doing things properly, that's the first marker. "It's a big part of it in my position at this moment. And Bruno [Fernandes, club captain] and I have a brilliant relationship, so I try and help him in any way I possibly can. I think he does a magnificent job."
