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Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has questioned Ruben Amorim's goalkeeper selection process as Manchester United prepare for a daunting trip to the Etihad in the Premier League
Joleon Lescott has questioned Ruben Amorim's team selection this season and thinks new Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens should not debut against Manchester City.
The Red Devils' poor start to the campaign has been epitomised by some lacklustre goalkeeping performances. Turkish shotstopper Altay Bayindir was handed the gloves in their opening clash against Arsenal, and he was at fault for the only goal in a 1-0 loss.
Andre Onana then turned out in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town. His two mistakes gifted the home side two goals, and while United clawed the game back to 2-2, Onana then did very little to help his side as they exited the competition on penalties.
Onana now looks set to depart the club for Trabzonspor on loan, with promising young Belgian No. 1 Senne Lammens signed for £18.2million on deadline day. However, Lescott thinks Bayindir should stay between the sticks for United's visit to the Etihad on Sunday, as a loss could damage Lammens' confidence regardless of how he plays.
Pep Guardiola's side could also field a new goalkeeper after signing Gianluigi Donnarumma on the final day of the window. Though Lescott thinks both Lammens and Italian could make their debuts, he has advised United to hold off and not make a similar lose-lose decision to the one that perhaps cost them the Grimsby tie.
"It wouldn't surprise me if both the new goalkeepers [Donnarumma and Lammens] start. But what is there to gain with the new United goalkeeper playing?" said Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet.
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"They could still lose by four, and he could have a great game. What that does for his confidence would radiate for weeks. Is there a benefit? You risk that happening.
"If Bayindir goes in and they lose, there is a question mark over him regardless. They should just keep him [Lammens] until there is an easier opportunity than City away. The manager, the club and he as an individual may benefit from that more.
"I just think the risk is bigger than the reward for him to start for United. I thought that against Grimsby. I'm like, why have you picked Onana? I don't understand the decision.
"There was no benefit for the manager. If he did well in that game, then you've got a decision to make at the weekend. If he doesn't do well, then you're out of the competition. So I just didn't grasp that as a rational decision, and I'm the same this weekend. I'm thinking keep it the same and give [Lammens] a different opportunity than City away."
Should Donnarumma make his first appearance, he would supplant James Trafford in goal, who only signed for City from Burnley this summer. Lescott has called for both shotstoppers to be given a fair chance.
He continued: "I expect Donnarumma to start. Who knows what condition he'll come back from his national team, which will have an impact. But the expectation of City is higher. There is more pressure on them to win.
"[Trafford] is top, I definitely believe he felt he was ready to compete with whoever came in, and he should. He's top. As long as they give him a fair opportunity.
"If Trafford's out now, and Donnarumma's in, given an opportunity to play, if he makes a mistake, then it's back and forth. That's what players want. I just want it to be fair. 'If you're judging me by one thing, then judge the opposing player by the same thing.'"
English (US) ·