Senne Lammens scores from corners because Altay Bayindir is unable to handle them.
With the possibility of acquiring the Belgian to compete with Andre Onana for the starting position, Manchester United’s interest in the Royal Antwerp goalkeeper is growing.
Old Trafford supporters are frequently the center of attention, but Bayindir was the star of the show last week. Against Arsenal, Ruben Amorim trusted the 27-year-old enough to give him the gloves, but he fumbled terribly at an early corner, and Riccardo Calafiori headed in the game’s lone goal.
After the game, Amorim defended the Turkey international, but the manager must have known deep down that his number two wasn’t doing well. The goalkeeping department will need to be reorganized because Onana’s long-term position as the starting keeper is uncertain, and Tom Heaton, who is reliable but sometimes ignored, is getting close to 40.
Lammens, a 23-year-old who has drawn attention in his native country, might be the first puzzle piece. He has drawn attention, gained notoriety abroad, and been connected to several elite clubs since leaving Club Brugge for Antwerp.
The €20 million-rated keeper might be acquired by United, and he would provide a level of composure and assurance that Bayndir and Onana have not been able to provide.
In a 2024 interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Lammens stated, “As a goalkeeper you have to stay calm to instill confidence in your defenders and the rest of the team.”
“Being anxious in between posts is not something you should do. That occasionally happened to me as a young player, but I haven’t been bothered by it in recent years.
“They say that I maintain my emotional equilibrium. that I’m steady and don’t fluctuate too much. By the way, I’m glad about it. That seems like an excellent trait for a goalie.
In recent years, United has lacked this attribute. The Reds would have a solid base to work from if the goalie could maintain composure and inspire trust in his teammates.
A quality goalie may be worth 15 points a season, according to a quote from Sir Alex Ferguson. After a disappointing 2024–25 season, United is in no position to pass up an opportunity to raise their total as they look to challenge the top six.
Although Lammens is far from the polished product, he is a good distributor, which is what United looked for in Onana. Onana is also a solid goalie and a dominant presence in his penalty area.
In 2024–25, Senne Lammens stopped 17.4 goals from being scored in the Belgian Pro League, according to Opta Analyst.
He’s prepared to go on to the next phase. He talked about being in his comfort zone and desiring a change of scenery when he left Brugge in 2023. He had to wait until Antwerp for his breakthrough, but he grabbed it with both hands and kept getting stronger. He is now aiming for a top European league.
When asked in late July if he was ready to make a move amid United’s interest, he said: “Manchester United are one of the best clubs, yes. But you never know. It could also be a different club, or who knows, I might stay here [grins]. In any case, I try to keep my feet on the ground. When teams like that come along, I think you’ve earned it.
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