Senne Lammens Discusses His Journey as Manchester Uniteds Goalkeeper at Old Trafford

Lammens Embraces Pressure at Manchester United

Manchester United’s latest signing, Senne Lammens, has expressed confidence in handling the immense expectations placed on a goalkeeper at a club with such a storied history.

Head coach Ruben Amorim highlighted the substantial pressure that comes with the role of a United goalkeeper in today’s highly publicized football landscape. Lammens, now 23 years old and with only one full season of professional play, faces scrutiny, especially after the club’s decision not to pursue World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa before the close of the transfer window.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport ahead of their upcoming Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest, Lammens radiated a sense of composure that belies the circumstances.

Welcoming the Challenge

Sure, you hear from others about the pressure that comes with playing for this team,

he noted.

But I embrace it. Playing for such a prestigious team should come with pressure, and I’m not afraid of it.

The past performances of other goalkeepers, like Andre Onana — who has recently been loaned to Trabzonspor — and Altay Bayindir, have heightened expectations. Lammens received an enthusiastic ovation during his debut against Sunderland, where he caught the ball.

This confidence culminated in a first clean sheet for United this season, much to the delight of the supporters, who cheekily sang, “Are you Schmeichel in disguise?” referencing the legendary Peter Schmeichel. Although Lammens didn’t hear the chant initially, he appreciated it after the match but humbly acknowledged his own position.

I don’t see myself as Schmeichel; I’m just Senne Lammens trying to contribute to the team,

he stated.

It’s flattering to be compared to such a great, but I still have a long way to go to earn that acknowledgment.

Tactical Considerations

Lammens also shared insights into the tactical shifts observed during games, particularly against Sunderland and Liverpool, where United employed longer passes. He clarified that the decision was largely formulated by the coaching staff, but it aligns with his own playing style.

It’s about how we play and the intensity we bring,

he said.

Facing a team like Liverpool requires direct play rather than intricate buildup, especially given the players we have.

Maintaining communication with the defense is crucial for Lammens. He stressed the importance of reassurance for defenders like Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, ensuring they feel supported during matches.

They’ve emphasized that I don’t have to be a superstar goalkeeper; I just need to be reliable in critical moments,

he elaborated.

Establishing trust with them is essential.

Early Career and Aspirations

Reflecting on his journey to becoming a goalkeeper — partly motivated by his older brother, a devoted Manchester United fan — Lammens has faced challenges during his initial foray into the Premier League. Instances during his debut highlighted areas for improvement, including an early exit from his penalty box and some mistimed catches in subsequent matches.

Despite a few missteps, Lammens’s promising start has garnered support among fans who wonder why he remained on the bench for the initial three matches after his transfer from Royal Antwerp, where he made 57 senior appearances.

Looking ahead, Lammens aspires for a prolonged career at Manchester United and dreams of being mentioned alongside legends like Schmeichel, Edwin Van der Sar, and David de Gea.

I hope for a long career here. Eventually, it would be wonderful to be included in conversations about those greats,

he concluded.