When Manchester United brought in Senne Lammens from Antwerp, many eyebrows were raised. On the one hand, seeing Andre Onana depart on loan was news enough, but bringing in an unknown, relatively inexperienced player from the Belgian league looked like a proper gamble.
Who is this guy? Why did Manchester United waive other goalkeeping options like the experienced World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez, who looked all but certain to join?
Well… this guy just became the Premier League Transfer of the Season, and nobody saw that one coming! Talk about smart business in a new way forward for Manchester United, after a decade of silly transfers.
He instilled a level of trust in his backline that was badly eroded at Manchester United. Fans gasped at every backward pass under the previous regime, but with the no-nonsense, no-fuss Lemmens between the sticks, United have looked much better.
He kept a clean sheet in his Manchester United debut, at home against Sunderland, and that set the tone for things to come. From there, things only got better. He made 79 saves this season in the Premier League, facing 112 shots on target. That’s a 68.8% save rate, and only 1.26 goals conceded per 90. United’s often leaky defence gave him plenty of work, but he delivered.
Is Lammens a Team Legend In the Making?
That calm nature gives Edwin van der Sar energy, and he ended up becoming a club legend. This club is built on goalkeeping legends, with Peter Schmeichel and De Gea other key examples of big gloves to fill.
Now, Lammens has just won the Transfer of the Season award and it seems like United have at last managed to address their goalkeeping crisis, a crisis which crippled them in recent years. It’s relief, and a springboard for success. His side finished third in the Premier League, qualified for the Champions League at last, and with a calm, composed goalkeeper between the sticks, the team can continue to build smartly.
For a club that has spent too long searching for certainty in goal, that matters. Lammens has not solved everything, but he has removed the panic. Every claim, save and simple pass has helped United feel normal again. That is the foundation any serious side needs before it can chase bigger things with conviction, clarity and belief again next season.
