One big difference between Altay Bayindir and Senne Lammens can fix Man Utd problem

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Last weekend saw Senne Lammens finally make the Manchester United goalkeeping position his own, sending Altay Bayindir back to being second choice.

It was a bad experiment to try using Altay Bayindir as a starting goalkeeper, a mistake that lasted six Premier League games, costing as many as five points.

Manchester United needed better, and Senne Lammens provided this improvement against Sunderland last weekend during the 2-0 win, a first clean sheet of the season for the Red Devils.

After the game, Lammens was praised heavily by Ruben Amorim, and really, there is no going back for Bayindir with the Belgian quite obviously the better goalkeeper.

Old Trafford agreed, with the Stretford End asking Lammens if he was Peter Schmeichel in disguise, which is quite the compliment, with the fans simply delighted to see a competent and solid shot stopper in goal.

Beyond being better in the air and in making saves, Lammens was also an upgrade on the ball.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Senne Lammens is a major upgrade on Altay Bayindir

Goalkeeper had been a problem position for United, but Lammens has fixed that issue for Amorim, and we can only hope that it is long-term.

One surprising quality of Lammens was his kicking, as he regularly sent balls long directly to Benjamin Sesko.

Lammens was praised for his ‘cannon’ kicks for United against Sunderland, which were fairly effective.

In terms of goal kicks, the difference between Lammens and Bayindir is clear.

After six appearances, according to FB Ref, Bayindir had only attempted 16 long goal kicks at an average length of 49.1 yards. Meanwhile, Lammens attempted seven in one game at an average length of 68.1 yards.

Lammens launched 100 per cent of his goal kicks compared to 68.8 per cent of Bayindir’s, which is clearly instruction as Amorim trusts the Belgian’s kicking more.

• READ: Senne Lammens style of play is best of both worlds, Ruben Amorim is getting a complete goalkeeper

Lammens’ kicking can get the best from Benjamin Sesko and avoid midfield issues

For some fans, the goalkeeper kicking long is not ideal, bypassing the build-up in search of a more direct and effective route to playing football.

However, United’s striker is 6ft 5in Benjamin Sesko, who will win the long balls, being strong and excellent in the air, before using his link-up qualities to create chances and ultimately get goals for United.

This is a method which might suit the current United team, with the midfield at Amorim’s disposal not exactly quality at taking the ball and progressing play beyond a long ball anyway.

Amorim has asked for control, but that likely will require new players in midfield, something that cannot happen until next summer, and so long-ball football might be the temporary fix.