Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker both reacted to one key piece of transfer business that Manchester United did that involved snubbing one player and signing another.
The transfer window slammed shut on Monday for Premier League clubs, with Ineos being incredibly active in the window to sign and offload players this summer.
Ruben Amorim has been able to improve key positions in his Manchester United first-team squad both ahead of the 2025-26 campaign and during the new season.
New United summer signings have included attacking options in the form of striker Benjamin Sesko and forwards Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
The Red Devils have recruited Diego Leon as a long-term prospect at Old Trafford, while Senne Lammens arrived on deadline day as a new shot-stopping option.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker discuss Senne Lammens signing for Man Utd amid the Red Devils’ previous interest in Emiliano Martinez
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was able to add a new ‘keeper to his first-team squad after the Red Devils’ late signing of Senne Lammens this summer.
United landed Lammens from Royal Antwerp for an initial fee of £18.1m on deadline day, with the Red Devils agreeing to add-ons as part of the deal for the Belgian.
The Red Devils’ pursuit of the 23-year-old former Royal Antwerp shot-stopper also led to United withdrawing from the race to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker said: “Manchester United have brought in a goalkeeper, Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, who apparently made more saves than any other goalkeeper last season.
“That doesn’t always mean what it sounds like it means. They might just have been a bad team at Royal Antwerp [he was signed] for £18m.”
Alan Shearer admitted that Lammens faces no easy task at United and it could be a “big ask” if Amorim thrusts him into the Red Devils starting XI after his arrival.
“Young for the situation that he has to go into if he’s going to go straight in there,” he said.
“That’s going to be a big ask for him.”
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker speak out on Emiliano Martinez’s situation at Aston Villa after Man Utd land Senne Lammens
Emiliano Martinez was subject to United’s interest this summer and the 33-year-old Argentine was tipped to leave Villa Park before the transfer window closed.
Aston Villa were believed to be demanding a fee of £40m for the 2022 World Cup winner, who had preferred to remain in England and wanted to make a move to United.
Premier League legend Shearer said that he was unsure what happened to United’s “deal” for Martinez and for the Red Devils to opt to sign Lammens instead.
“I mean, what happened to the Emi Martinez deal [for Manchester United] I don’t know because he didn’t play the other night, so obviously he didn’t get the move that he wanted,” he continued.
“So, that’s going to be a big ask for a young goalkeeper [Lammens] to go in there and start and perform.”
Lineker added: “Yeah, he’s staying at Aston Villa, isn’t he? Emi Martinez, for now.”
Lammens has inked a deal with United until 2030 and the former Royal Antwerp player will wear the No 31 shirt at Old Trafford after his summer transfer.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
