United land a new No 1 contender on deadline day
Manchester United have completed the signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in a deal worth €21 million (about £19m) plus add-ons, handing manager Ruben Amorim a timely boost in a position he clearly wanted to sharpen. The 23-year-old Belgian has agreed a five-year contract running to June 2030, with the move subject to international clearance and registration.
The price and contract length tell you how United value him: not just depth, but a goalkeeper they expect to grow into a long-term pillar. Lammens arrives with momentum after a standout season in Belgium, where he kept the most clean sheets in the Pro League and earned a first senior call-up to the national team in March. He also has a trophy on his CV, helping Antwerp secure the Belgian Super Cup in 2023.
Club sources stress that his signing does not automatically push anyone out the door. André Onana and Altay Bayindir remain in the group, with veteran Tom Heaton also part of the goalkeeping unit. Even so, the timing—on deadline day—adds spice. Galatasaray have explored a move for Onana after missing out on Manchester City’s Ederson, who is set for Fenerbahce. United would listen to reasonable offers, but people close to Onana say the 29-year-old wants to stay and fight for his shirt.
Lammens, speaking after the deal was sealed, called the move a dream moment and the start of “something special.” Director of Football Jason Wilcox described him as an excellent young goalkeeper who chose United amid heavy competition for his signature. That hint of a bidding war fits how this window has unfolded: United have targeted younger, coachable profiles and moved quickly when the right option became available.
Why United moved for Lammens—and what it means for the pecking order
Amorim’s football relies on a goalkeeper who is calm with the ball, quick off his line, and comfortable defending space behind a high defensive line. At Sporting, his teams built from the back at pace, drawing the press and then breaking lines. Lammens’ profile—clean handling, strong positioning, and improving distribution—fits that approach. He won praise in Belgium not just for shot-stopping but for decision-making in transitions, where a half-second delay can turn a routine clearance into a one-on-one.
United’s scouts have watched him grow into a more complete keeper: better feet, better timing, and a stronger command of his area. He is still learning, especially under aerial pressure and in managing tempo late in games, but the raw tools are there. The five-year deal gives United runway to coach, test, and refine—without the panic of short-termism.
How does he slot into the depth chart right now? Officially, nothing changes until it does. Onana starts the week as the senior option. Bayindir has waited patiently for minutes and is well liked internally. Heaton, trusted and experienced, remains a steady hand in training and the cup rotations. But the message is obvious: no complacency. If Lammens adapts quickly to Premier League pace, he will push hard for minutes before the end of the year.
There’s also a practical squad-building angle. Adding a 23-year-old international-calibre keeper diversifies risk. If injuries hit, United are not forced into the market. If form dips, there’s real competition. And if an unexpected bid arrives for any goalkeeper, the club can act from a position of strength rather than scramble.
Transfer dynamics around Onana will linger until the final hours of the window. Galatasaray’s interest is genuine, but any deal would need to satisfy both United’s valuation and the player’s stance. For now, United are not pushing him out. The arrival of a younger challenger instead raises standards across the group—exactly what Amorim wants.
From a development perspective, United’s goalkeeping coaches will push Lammens on three fronts: speed of release under pressure, starting positions outside the six-yard box to sweep counters, and distribution that breaks lines rather than recycles play for the sake of it. The Premier League punishes hesitation; the staff will want him thinking one pass ahead, not just saving shots.
Registration is straightforward. As a senior non-homegrown signing, Lammens will occupy a foreign player slot, but United have managed those numbers across the summer. Work-permit rules for established top-flight performers and full internationals are now well signposted, and the club expects no surprises.
Inside the dressing room, the arrival of a young keeper with fresh international credentials will change training intensity. Strikers get sharper finishing chances; defenders get a different voice behind them. Coaches talk about “training effect”—how a new competitor raises standards Monday to Friday before it shows up on Saturday. Expect that to be the first impact fans notice.
For supporters asking what kind of goalkeeper he is, think measured rather than flashy. He prefers to catch rather than parry, sets early for low shots to the corners, and keeps his shape in one-on-ones. Distribution is crisp rather than risk-heavy—short when it’s on, clipped into the channels when pressed. The improvement area will be commanding crowded set pieces in England, where traffic is heavier and collisions are common.
United’s recruitment team also liked his trajectory. A 23-year-old with league-leading clean sheets and a senior international call-up carries both sporting value and resale value. If he becomes the starter, the fee looks smart. If he ends up sharing minutes or moving on later, the profile still protects the investment.
Key details at a glance:
- Fee: €21m (£19m) plus add-ons
- Contract: Five years to June 2030
- Recent record: Most clean sheets in Belgian Pro League last season
- Honours: Belgian Super Cup (2023)
- International: First senior Belgium call-up in March
Amorim’s rebuild has been about tightening structure and raising the technical baseline. This move sticks to that plan. It gives United flexibility, real competition, and a goalkeeper aligned with how the manager wants to play. The next question is simple: how quickly can Lammens translate Belgian dominance to English speed? Pre-season rhythm is over; the games now come fast. If he adapts, the pressure on the established order will be immediate.
For now, the club gets what it wanted: a high-upside keeper in the door before the window shuts, without forcing a premature exit for anyone. Training will tell the rest.