Key Takeaways:
- Senne Lammens completed his £18.1m transfer to Manchester United on deadline day, with the deal confirmed at 10pm.
- Despite his strong training performances, Lammens has yet to make his debut three weeks after joining the club.
- Altay Bayindir has started all three Premier League matches this season, but underwhelming statistics have led to growing calls for Lammens’ introduction.
Transfer Saga Culminates in Late Deadline Day Move
Senne Lammens’ protracted transfer to Manchester United was among the most engrossing narratives of the recent transfer window. The 23-year-old Royal Antwerp goalkeeper had been highlighted as a target early in the window, but only on deadline day did United formalise their pursuit. Coincidentally, Lammens travelled to England in anticipation of a potential agreement, a move which proved prescient as the transfer was announced at 10pm – five hours post deadline.
By then, hopes had faded for Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who had also been linked with Old Trafford amid United’s renewed search for a goalkeeper. Addressing his new chapter, Lammens described the switch as “a dream come true”, adding his desire for it to be the “beginning of something special”.
Silky hair, shouting jaw line, enormous, light weight, easy diver. No idea if it's just me but Senne Lammens might just be our next generation Big Dave. pic.twitter.com/jEFwZLNhzV
— ⌖ (@utdhans) September 20, 2025
Waiting Game for Debut as Amorim Considers Options
Three weeks have elapsed since Lammens’ arrival and the Belgian Under-21 international is yet to feature for Manchester United. Manager Ruben Amorim has not indicated whether the former Royal Antwerp player will make his Premier League debut away at Brentford on Saturday, at home against Sunderland on 4 October, or at a later stage.
This weekend seems the perfect game for Senne Lammens to make his Manchester United debut.
Reds, what do you think? pic.twitter.com/d1k0McS66T
— 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩. (@UnitedProp_) September 23, 2025
Lammens Impressing Behind the Scenes
Insiders suggest Lammens has adapted swiftly to his new environment and impressed during training sessions. The young goalkeeper has displayed maturity, composure, and professionalism, already settling into permanent accommodation. United’s third-choice goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, reinforced this impression in comments to the Training Ground Guru podcast: “He has a strong personality. His goalkeeping fundamentals are very impressive. I said that to him after a couple of days’ training. He’s been very impressive so far.”
United staff have emphasised that Lammens was signed with future potential in mind. Statistically, he excelled in the Belgian Pro League last season, making 30 appearances, keeping 7 clean sheets, and recording 173 saves – 20 more than any other keeper across Europe’s top-10 leagues. He also led in penalties saved with 4.
| Statistic | Lammens |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Belgian Pro League) | 30 |
| Clean Sheets | 7 |
| Total Saves | 173 |
| Penalties Saved | 4 |
| Save Percentage | 77.4% |
| Passing Accuracy | 71.5% |
| Goals Prevented (Opta) | 18.4 |
Former Belgium and Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld commented, “Senne is young and has a big frame. He’ll be a perfect fit in England.”
Despite the impressive metrics, some uncertainty remained over whether Lammens, with only 57 senior appearances and one full season as a regular starter, would be thrust into United’s first team for high-pressure fixtures, including the derby against Manchester City on 14 September. Amorim clarified his decision to select the more experienced shot-stopper at his pre-match press conference: “He has a lot of potential but we also have to look at the present and we are in a moment that the goalkeeper needs to be really strong and have a lot of experience. It is a different league, different country, different ball.”
Bayindir Under Scrutiny Amid Lammens’ Push
Turkish international Altay Bayindir, who joined United for £4.3m in 2023, retained his starting place for the Manchester derby – where United succumbed to a 3-0 defeat – and the subsequent 1-0 win against Chelsea, with the visitors’ only attempt on target coming from Trevoh Chalobah’s late header. Although Amorim has affirmed that there is an open competition between Bayindir and Lammens, few within the club regard Bayindir as a long-term first-choice solution.
Opta data reinforces these doubts: among Premier League keepers with more than two appearances this term, Bayindir ranks 16th for save percentage (50%). Errors against Arsenal and Burnley have seen him concede 8 goals from an expected 7.14, positioning him 17th in this metric; Fulham’s Bernd Leno currently leads, conceding 2.15 fewer than expected. Bayindir is also ranked 17th for passing accuracy and 18th for long pass accuracy.
These figures suggest mounting statistical support for handing Lammens an opportunity sooner rather than later. Nonetheless, Amorim must select the timing carefully: an ill-timed introduction could negatively impact the young goalkeeper’s confidence.
No Easing-In for Lammens Amid Fixture Schedule
United’s early EFL Cup exit to League Two Grimsby meant that the typical opportunity to make a debut in a lower-pressure competition has been removed. Furthermore, the club opted not to field Lammens as an overage player in the Premier League International Cup fixture at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, a match primarily for Travis Binnion’s Under-21 side. Although only 1,600 fans were in attendance, it is not far removed from the 6,456 who witnessed Lammens’ last senior league game for Royal Antwerp at Charleroi.
Barring a wait until the commencement of United’s FA Cup campaign in January, it appears likely that Lammens’ next senior appearance will occur in the Premier League, where opposition managers will not hesitate to test a newly promoted goalkeeper.
Support for Patience in Lammens’ Development
Former United goalkeeper Roy Carroll has advised fans and analysts not to rush to judgement: “He’s only 23, please, please give him time and let him grow as a Manchester United goalkeeper,” the Northern Irishman told BBC Sport.
“We did it for David de Gea when he came in. He was a very young goalkeeper and a successful one even before he came to Manchester United as well.
“Time is a precious commodity but we need to give it. Every goalkeeper makes mistakes, the key is not to make too many.”
