MU is temporarily secure in the hands of Lammens

06/10/2025 07:40:00 GameGladiator

After months living in uncertainty due to mistakes in goal, Manchester United (MU) has finally discovered a new light named Senne Lammens.

In just 90 minutes of his debut during the 2-0 win over Sunderland, the young Belgian goalkeeper helped the team not only keep a clean sheet for the first time this season but also restore a feeling of peace that Old Trafford had lost since the days of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar.

1. The chant "Are you Schmeichel in disguise?" rose from the Stretford End stands midway through the second half – both humorous and expressing the desire of Red Devils fans. They had grown exhausted by the anxious handling from Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana. Therefore, even a single secure catch or a precise decision by Lammens was enough to make the stadium erupt.

At 23 years old, with only one full season as a starter at Royal Antwerp, Lammens was seen as an £18.1 million gamble that MU took on the last day of the transfer window. But few expected the newcomer to bring such solidity so quickly. He played calmly, positioned himself accurately, timed his interventions well, and showed a rare confidence in footwork – something Bayindir and Onana had never done since the start of the season.

Lammens made two crucial saves: first, a low dive to block a sharp long-range shot from Granit Xhaka, and then a foot save to deny Chemsdine Talbi’s close-range strike in the 90th minute. Both moments showcased excellent reflexes, high concentration, and the courage of a modern goalkeeper.

Coach Ruben Amorim admitted he had been waiting for the right moment to give Lammens a chance: "When Senne arrived, I felt he needed time to adapt – a new environment, new training intensity, and huge pressure at MU. But today, he was ready. Although it was just one match, it was a very good start."

2. According to Opta statistics, 86.4% of Lammens’ 44 passes were long balls, compared to an average of only 56.5% for Bayindir. Amorim instructed the new goalkeeper to “play more directly,” using his accurate long passes to launch quick counterattacks. This helped MU escape pressing effectively and significantly reduced the risk of errors in their own half – which had been a serious weakness before.

Lammens had an almost perfect debut for MU

Not only did he demonstrate good foot skills, but Lammens also showed leadership in organizing the defense. Each time he confidently rushed out to claim aerial balls, the Old Trafford crowd responded with enthusiastic applause. This was not just praise for a single action but a relief after many months of unease.

Sunderland, a team in good form, didn’t create many chances, but on the rare occasions they attacked, Lammens controlled the situation. He only made one risky move when rushing out to challenge Bertrand Traore – a moment that led to Traore receiving a yellow card for diving. Apart from that, Lammens was nearly flawless in his first 90 minutes wearing the Red Devils jersey.

3. For MU, keeping a clean sheet and winning 2-0 was not just about earning three valuable points but also a release after a stressful period. Since the start of the season, MU had conceded 13 goals in 6 matches, their worst record in over a decade. But once Lammens took the field, that number stopped rising. It might be a coincidence, but for Red Devils fans, what matters is that they finally saw a goalkeeper who made them feel secure again.

Lammens is not loud or flashy. He is so calm that people forget this was his debut. Yet sometimes, silence is the strongest sign of confidence. When defenders can pass back with their heads held high without fear.

Ahead of Lammens and MU is a massive challenge called Liverpool – a team that has scored 10 goals against the Red Devils in their last 4 meetings. But if the Belgian goalkeeper continues to perform with the same composure and skill as in his debut, fans have every reason to believe MU’s goal is truly safeguarded.

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