The Manchester derby, a fixture once synonymous with a clash of genuine Premier League juggernauts, now offers a different perspective. This season, for potentially the first time in generations, neither Manchester United nor Manchester City appear as unequivocal top-tier contenders for the league title. This evolving ambition is starkly reflected in the contrasting, yet equally significant, goalkeeping decisions made by both clubs.
Manchester United`s Goalkeeping Shift: Prioritizing Shot-Stopping
Just a year ago, Manchester United’s goal was guarded by Andre Onana, a goalkeeper lauded for his exceptional ball-playing skills. However, following his transfer to Turkey`s Super Lig, United initiated a new goalkeeping strategy. Manager Ruben Amorim, identifying a critical need for enhanced shot-stopping, brought in Senne Lammens. Lammens’ advanced metrics from the Belgian Pro League last season notably positioned him among Europe`s elite in preventing goals.
Facing financial constraints, Manchester United reportedly bypassed a move for Gianluigi Donnarumma due to his substantial combined fee and salary. Instead, they appear to be capitalizing on a market inefficiency. While many top clubs prioritize goalkeepers skilled in distribution and build-up play, the Red Devils have seemingly focused on a player whose primary strength is keeping the ball out of the net. Last season, Lammens impressively conceded 14.5 fewer goals than expected based on the post-shot expected goal value of the shots he faced – a statistic that, despite the inherent uncertainties of cross-league projection, underscores his shot-stopping prowess.
Lammens, a 6-foot-4 presence, also exhibits strong aerial command. Interestingly, Wyscout data indicates a preference for long passes, with more passes over 40 meters than under 20 meters in his career. This marks a notable divergence from the initial vision for Onana, who, despite his heralded footwork, ultimately struggled with the fundamental aspect of shot prevention. Onana`s difficulties, though not always evident in raw data, were apparent to observers, particularly concerning corners and near-post saves, a period exacerbated by club turbulence, coaching changes, and defensive instability.
Manager Amorim, seemingly aware of the intense scrutiny Onana faced, is carefully integrating Lammens. He has confirmed that Altay Bayindir will start the upcoming derby, providing Lammens with vital time to adapt to the English game. This long-term approach aims to shield Lammens from the immediate, relentless pressure that often engulfs United’s number one, a luxury never truly afforded to his predecessor.
Manchester City`s Strategic Pivot: The Arrival of Donnarumma
Manchester City’s changes in the goalkeeping department also signal a significant strategic shift, particularly for Pep Guardiola, a manager historically inclined to prioritize on-ball abilities over pure shot-stopping. Ederson, City`s former number one, was the epitome of this philosophy, excelling in distribution and even setting a Premier League record for goalkeeper assists. His departure to Fenerbahce, partly prompted by increasing injury concerns in his final two seasons, paved the way for a new direction.
City initially signed academy product James Trafford, known for his shot-stopping capabilities. This was followed by the surprising acquisition of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Donnarumma, a world-class talent, represents a clear stylistic divergence from Ederson among elite goalkeepers – he is a more traditional, commanding figure primarily focused on making saves. Guardiola himself acknowledged this shift, highlighting his new signing`s attributes: “He is so tall, he is so huge… we want safe balls, give confidence to the team, have personality and a big presence.” Guardiola explicitly stated that Donnarumma would not be expected to initiate transitions or build attacks in the manner Ederson did, emphasizing that Gigi possesses “another quality.”
The rationale behind City’s strategic “zag” lies in their recent defensive vulnerabilities, particularly against counter-attacks. In the two seasons preceding this one, City experienced a noticeable increase in their susceptibility to fast breaks. In 2023-24, they conceded eight goals from opposition fast breaks, a sharp rise compared to previous years. While raw numbers saw a slight improvement last season, their expected goals (xG) conceded from breaks remained high. A team that once routinely restricted opponents to minimal shots and less than one xG per game was more recently conceding more shots and 1.3 xG. With early signs suggesting Rodri`s return isn`t a complete solution, and City potentially defending less effectively than rivals like Arsenal or Liverpool, top-tier shot-stopping has become a critical requirement to maintain their competitive edge.
The upcoming derby will serve as a crucial test for Donnarumma to demonstrate his value in this redefined role, proving he can be as impactful for City as his predecessor, albeit through different strengths. Whether Guardiola fully adheres to his stated intention of managing without Ederson`s unique distribution capabilities remains a key point of interest as the season unfolds.
