Senne Lammens made his first Manchester United appearance on Saturday, keeping a clean sheet as Ruben Amorim’s team got the better of Sunderland in the Premier League
Senne Lammens with the ball on his Manchester United debut(Image: Getty Images)
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens began his Manchester United career with a win and a clean sheet, and the Belgian international received plenty of credit from his home country’s media. Lammens joined United from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day but has needed to wait patiently for his debut while Ruben Amorim continued to keep faith with Altay Bayindir.
The new keeper’s opportunity arrived at last on Saturday, with Amorim handing him a start against Sunderland. All went according to plan for the 23-year-old, with goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko ensuring United got three points and eased the pressure on their head coach.
United’s win was a timely one for Amorim, with some suggestions his job could be at risk if his team lost. After the victory, he spoke highly of Lammens while also praising the team as a whole.
“We didn’t play well all the game, but we had our moments and we defended well,” Amorim said. “I think Senne did a great job and gave us confidence. It was a good day, not a perfect day, but to win like this with a clean sheet is important for our team.
“We need to understand that we need everyone to be ready to play. It’s a long season, we have a lot of problems, anything can happen. The important thing is that the teammates helped Lammens a lot to have a very good performance.”
While Lammens will surely face trickier tests than Sunderland this season, perhaps starting with his next game, he still earned plaudits from the Belgian press.
Lammens with Mason Mount(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)’The scenario was perfect’
“Against Sunderland, the scenario was perfect for Lammens,” Sporza’s verdict began. “He was barely challenged in the first half and took no risks in possession. It was striking how he constantly connected with his backline and made adjustments.
“Sober, precise, and controlling. Old Trafford appreciated this and gave Lammens plenty of opportunities at times.”
The same publication pointed to his sharp save from a long-range Granit Xhaka effort, as well as the let-off he received when Bertrand Traore was booked for diving after it looked for a moment as though Lammens had conceded a penalty.
“If Ruben Amorim still had any doubts about who would be the first choice goalkeeper, Lammens has more than left his mark today,” Sporza added.
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‘From a distance’
Elsewhere in Belgium, HLN highlighted Amorim’s praise for Lammens while pointing out the goalkeeper watched much of the first half ‘from a distance’. They wrote: “Just over a month after his arrival and after three matches on the bench, Lammens finally made his debut for Manchester United.
“The goalkeeper thus became the seventh Belgian to feature for the Red Devils. Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku, Adnan Januzaj, Ritchie De Laet, Marnick Vermijl, and Largie Ramazani preceded him.
“Lammens had to prove himself once in the first half. The former Antwerp goalkeeper made a good save on a powerful shot from Xhaka. His play on the ball at his feet and on high balls was also flawless. From a distance, our compatriot saw Manchester United dominate.”
The report added that his next assignment could be considerably trickier. “All in all, Lammens can look back with satisfaction on his debut in the Manchester United shirt,” it read. “His first clean sheet is a fact. This debut will leave him wanting more. His next assignment? The top-flight match at Anfield against Liverpool on Sunday, October 19th. Lammens will likely be tested more then.”
‘His true colours’
Nieuwsblad’s Brian Dewulf referenced United fans’ response to the impressive debut. “Just before half-time, Senne Lammens finally got the chance to show his true colours,” he wrote. “Granit Xhaka had the first attempt for Sunderland, but Lammens saw the long-range shot come from far out and made a good save. There was applause in Old Trafford.
“The Belgian goalkeeper remained virtually unemployed in the second half, though it was a bit of a shock after an hour of play. Bruno Fernandes gave his keeper the runaround with a long ball, causing the pair to collide. Sunderland winger Traoré lurked and nearly capitalised, but also went down in the action.
Ruben Amorim welcomed the win and the clean sheet(Image: Getty Images)
“Ultimately, Man United were given the foul, allowing Lammens and his teammates to breathe a sigh of relief. He was applauded again in the final seconds for his second save of the evening, but Lammens was never given another opportunity.
“It was certainly a successful debut for the Belgian goalkeeper. Manchester United secured only their third Premier League victory, and the young Belgian also secured their first clean sheet of the season for the Mancunians.
“Has the train departed? During the match, the home fans were already singing loudly for the goalkeeper: “Are you Schmeichel in disguise?” fans wondered aloud if Lammens wasn’t just the former Danish legend of Man U.”
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