Paul Merson and Clinton Morrison have sounded the alarm for Manchester United, urging the storied club to prioritise the signing of a top-tier goalkeeper before the transfer window slams shut. This call to action comes in the wake of Altay Bayindir’s costly mistake during a recent clash with Arsenal, which saw the Gunners edge out a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson highlighted the indispensable role a solid goalkeeper plays in achieving silverware, drawing comparisons with David Raya’s stellar performance for Arsenal, alongside the consistency demonstrated by Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Manchester City’s Ederson over the years. “A quality goalkeeper saves you points,” Merson asserted, emphasising the critical nature of Bayindir’s error. “This is not something United can afford to overlook.”
Echoing these sentiments on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport, former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison agreed that Manchester United’s gamble with their current goalkeeping options cannot continue. “Rumours are circulating about potential moves for Emiliano Martinez from Villa and the newly available Gianluigi Donnarumma. United need to act decisively to secure a goalkeeper of the highest calibre.”
Despite the blunder, Merson observed positive elements in United’s performance against the Gunners. He noted, “Apart from that error, Manchester United put on a decent showing. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were impressive, and a fit Benjamin Sesko could certainly trouble many defences.”
However, Merson cautioned that if significant improvements aren’t made promptly, United may find themselves languishing mid-table come season’s end. “Their effort against Arsenal was commendable, but a defeat still underscores the need for enhancement,” he concluded.
With the clock ticking down on the transfer window, Manchester United are urged to respond swiftly to shore up their defences if they are to climb up the Premier League standings and compete at the highest level.
READ MORE MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS: