Senne Lammens signs his contract with Man Utd at Carrington training ground, Manchester, UK, 1/9/2025. Photo: MUFC

On the morning of 1/9, Lammens was still at Royal Antwerp's Bosuil stadium (Belgium). He quickly gathered a few personal belongings and rushed to the airport, heading straight for Manchester. By midday, the Belgian goalkeeper arrived at Carrington training center to complete his medical and sign his contract.

Man Utd had considered safer options. Coach Ruben Amorim wanted Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa's number one goalkeeper, a 2022 World Cup winner with ample Premier League experience. However, the salary, transfer fee, and the requirement to quickly sell Andre Onana stalled the deal.

In this predicament, Man Utd turned to Lammens, who just completed his first full season as a starter in Belgium. The move is a gamble, but if successful, could yield greater benefits than signing a 32-year-old goalkeeper like Martinez.

Born in 2002, Lammens developed at Club Brugge's academy before moving to Royal Antwerp. During the 2024-2025 season, he defied expected goals (xG) statistical models.

According to the data, Lammens faced shots equivalent to 45 xG, but conceded only 32 goals, exceeding expectations by 13 goals. On average, he prevented more than 0.5 goals per game compared to the average goalkeeper. This achievement far surpasses goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues.

Lammens also possesses impressive penalty-stopping abilities. He saved 4 of 6 penalties last season and saved another one this season. Since the beginning of 2024, no goalkeeper in Europe's top 10 leagues has a higher penalty save percentage than Lammens.

The 1.93m tall goalkeeper’s versatility is also evident in his aerial ability. He caught 44 crosses last season, the most in the Belgian league, helping Antwerp control the penalty area. While Onana and Altay Bayindir have often been criticized for their weakness in aerial situations, Lammens’ quality caught Man Utd's attention.

Lammens is most often compared to David de Gea, a potential Old Trafford legend. Both have good height, the ability to make close-range saves with their feet, and incredibly quick reflexes.

Lammens often waits near the goal line before rushing out to narrow the angle in one-on-one situations, gaining a few milliseconds to react. He moves in small steps, keeping his body perpendicular to the ball's trajectory, before using his hands or feet to block the shot. His saves have drawn comparisons to cricket wicket-keeping techniques by experts.

Belgium's number one goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, is another role model for Lammens. The 23-year-old could potentially succeed Courtois in the national team, although he is currently behind Mike Penders in coach Rudi Garcia's selection.

Lammens’ greatest strength is his proactiveness. He likes to rush off his line, catching aerial balls or quickly narrowing the angle in one-on-one situations. In contrast, Onana and Bayindir have a more passive style, rarely leaving the 6-yard box during set pieces.

Lammens is also adept at distribution, with 859 passes last season, ranking 4th among goalkeepers in Belgium, with a 76.5% accuracy rate. Beyond his footwork, he can also throw long balls to initiate counterattacks, reminiscent of Peter Schmeichel's style at Man Utd.

However, his confidence can sometimes turn into risk-taking. In a match against Porto in the 2023-2024 Champions League, he held the ball too long under pressure from Mehdi Taremi, nearly conceding a goal after a poor clearance. In the domestic league, Lammens has occasionally been drawn out of his goal without intercepting the ball, leaving space for opponents to shoot.

Lammens playing for the Belgian youth team. Photo: PA

Goalkeeping coaches often say it's "easier to fix an overambitious goalkeeper than an indecisive one". But in the Premier League, strikers rarely miss opportunities, so such mistakes can be costly.

Lammens isn't expected to immediately become the number one at Old Trafford. Onana remains Amorim's first choice, at least until the Cameroonian goalkeeper participates in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, the inconsistent form of both Onana and Bayindir presents an early opportunity for the Belgian newcomer.

Man Utd is clearly thinking long-term. Instead of spending big on a player past his prime, they are betting on potential. If Lammens develops as expected, he could become the club's number one goalkeeper for years to come, something Man Utd has been searching for since De Gea's era.

Lammens’ arrival also creates necessary competition. Onana can no longer feel secure in his position, and Bayindir understands that his chances of playing are diminishing. This motivation will force the goalkeepers to maintain a more consistent performance.

However, the deal is not without risks. Lammens hasn't played much in European competitions or for the national team, so he lacks top-level experience. The 25 million USD goalkeeper also faces immense pressure from Premier League fans, a factor that has intimidated many young goalkeepers.

The situation is further complicated by Man Utd's poor start to the season, with repeated goalkeeping errors. If Lammens makes early mistakes, confidence could quickly erode.

Nevertheless, Man Utd's management sees this as a worthwhile gamble. They were successful when they bet on De Gea in 2011. Now, they hope history will repeat itself with Lammens, Belgium's most promising goalkeeper.

Every gamble carries risk. But if it pays off, the reward for Man Utd could be stability in goal for the next decade.

Xuan Binh (according to Independent, Athletic)