Senne Lammens: Why United’s £18.2m swoop has been backed to pay off | OneFootball

Manchester United managed to pull off a deadline-day signing, securing Royal Antwerp’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Shaky goalkeeping has significantly hindered this United team. Just four games into the season, Altay Bayindir and André Onana have already shown they cannot be trusted, with their goalkeeping errors continuing to make life difficult for head coach Ruben Amorim.

Not signing a top-class keeper was always going to be a massive gamble for INEOS; it would have been a bold call that risked choking any chance of a United resurgence.

Fortunately, the United hierarchy were not willing to take that risk. As the transfer deadline approached, they pushed hard to finalise a deal for a new goalie.

Lammens over Martinez

While negotiating with Antwerp for top target Lammens, United also explored a swoop for Emiliano Martinez, determined not to miss out on this crucial transfer.

Ultimately, it was the Belgian whose deal got over the line.

Some feel United missed a trick by not going for the experienced Martinez, but that view has now been challenged.

Lammens is what United need

After the deal was confirmed, former United journalist Steve Bartram spoke with Antwerp’s legendary secretary Paul Bistiaux about what the 23-year-old will bring to Old Trafford, and fans will love what he had to say.

“I dare say Senne Lammens is absolutely a fantastic goalkeeper, who in my opinion will do well for United,” Bistiaux told Bartram via YouTube.

“I’m really convinced that he’s going to be the man.”

Bistiaux continued:

“In my opinion, he has no weaknesses. He’s a shot-stopper; he holds the record for penalties saved in the Belgian league. But his main quality, for me, is his concentration. He operates in the zone, so to speak.

“When he plays, he’s on another planet. He doesn’t hear or see the outside world. That level of focus makes him resistant to pressure—especially the kind he’ll face at a top club like United.

“That’s the main issue for young players at United—the scrutiny from fans and media. Expectations are sky-high. That’s what happened with Onana.”

Given how shaky United’s goalkeeping has been, the number one shirt is there for the taking.

Should be a fan favourite

If Lammens comes and shows that he is even half as good as he is being billed, United fans will be ready to throw their support behind him.

With that backing, he should have everything he needs to take the Premier League by storm.

Some doubt whether Amorim will throw him straight into the mix, but one thing is clear: United are no longer at the mercy of Onana and Bayindir.

With “Baby Courtois” now in the squad, United finally boast a serious option in goal, as argued in the brilliant piece “An analysis of Man United’s new penalty stopping monster.”

Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images

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