The games are coming thick and fast for Manchester United, and after their 1-0 win over Newcastle, two players have been chosen as the pick of the lot.
Senne Lammens is the obvious one, as the goalkeeper earned a much-deserved and long-overdue clean sheet in the 1-0 win against Newcastle.
His command of his area, traditional shot-stopping, and the calmness he exudes have immediately made him the first choice for Ruben Amorim.
What Paul Scholes said about Senne Lammens before he made his Man Utd debut
“What’s the price? 20 million Euros, that tells me he’s not a top goalkeeper.”
Paul Scholes in September 2025
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
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Troy Deeney picked him in his BBC Team of the Week for Matchday 18, but he also gave flowers to a player who has been a ‘monumental’ presence.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesSenne Lammens and Lisandro Martinez stand out vs Newcastle
Patrick Dorgu was the one who scored the winner vs Newcastle, but a backs-to-the-wall defensive performance from Man Utd meant it was a team effort.
In that effort, Lammens’ contribution was most visible, as his saves preserved a clean sheet, but Lisandro Martinez was the unsung hero who made a big difference.
Marshalling a youthful defence against a physical striker in top form (Nick Woltemade), Martinez showed why he’s rated so highly by Ruben Amorim.
Martinez went into duels with his trademark aggression, played his usual raking passes to bypass opposition lines, and induced confidence in the side with his mere presence.
Lisandro Martinez was named captain with Bruno Fernandes injured
Do you like the decision from Ruben Amorim? Let us know what you think of his performance
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Troy Deeney praised Martinez for his impact, calling his return ‘monumental’ by adding him to his BBC team of the week.
He said: “He’s only 5ft7, 5ft8 and he had Nick Woltemade in his back pocket all day. It was really good to see him back playing after his massive injury. Him being back fit is monumental, not only for him but his World Cup aspirations as well.”
Deeney also praised Lammens for providing a ‘platform’ to United after the club started the season with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir dropping weekly clangers.
Martinez’s return couldn’t be better timed
Martinez was always going to be a key player for Amorim regardless of when he returned, but the timing of his return couldn’t be better.
With Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt nursing their injuries, the backline desperately needed an experienced leader to marshal it.
The Bournemouth game was a quintessential example of what a youthful defence can be exposed to in the absence of a calming presence.
It’s extremely likely that United wouldn’t have earned a clean sheet against Newcastle without Martinez in the side, and thus, Amorim would be lamenting more dropped points.
As it stands, he immediately becomes the first name on the teamsheet, and that might remain the case even when De Ligt/Maguire return.
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