Sanne Lammens became Manchester United’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window on deadline day.
Manchester United’s goalkeepers have been subjected to heavy criticism after errors led to goals conceded in the opening four games of the season.
Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana are both responsible, which meant Ruben Amorim had a dilemma ahead of deadline day.
United looked at many goalkeepers but felt that Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens was the ‘best’ goalkeeper available on the market, despite being linked with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez throughout the summer.
The 23-year-old, who has nine caps for Belgium’s Under-21 side, is a prospect for the future but he will be expected to challenge Bayindir and Onana, who have both failed to meet the required standards in a United shirt.
Bayindir travelled to Manchester on Monday before completing his medical, before the deal was confirmed.
Senne Lammens could be Man Utd’s ultimate solution
An agreement has been reached between Royal Antwerp and United for Lammens.
United fans are bound to be excited but cautious because Lammens is a young goalkeeper being asked to make a big step in his career, despite lacking experience.
The Belgian goalkeeper has made 64 appearances for Antwerp, conceding 86 goals and keeping 12 clean sheets. He has yet to make his debut for the Belgium national team, as Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois remains the first choice for the national team.
However, Steve Bartram, who previously worked as a journalist for United, has spoken to Royal Antwerp’s legendary secretary, Paul Bistiaux.
Bistiaux is responsible for United’s long-term relationship with Antwerp and he believes Lammens has all the attributes to succeed at Old Trafford.
“I dare say Sanne Lammens is absolutely a fantastic goalkeeper, who in my opinion will do well for United,” Bistiaux told Bartram via YouTube.
“I’m really convinced that he’s going to be the man.”
Bistiaux added: “In my opinion, he has no weaknesses. He is a shot stopper; he has a record for penalties stopped in the Belgian league, but his main quality, in my view, is that he is so concentrated. He is operating in the zone, so to speak.
“When he plays, he is on another planet. He doesn’t hear or see the outside world. He is so concentrated, which makes him resistant to pressure.
“Especially the pressure he will have at a top club like United. That’s the main problem for all young players going to United – the scrutiny by the fans and media. Expectations are so high. That is what happened Onana.”
Royal Antwerp’s long-term partnership with Man Utd
In the past, Royal Antwerp were renowned for having a partnership with United.
The partnership saw the Belgian side take young players from United on loan to boost their development at the senior level.
Examples of that include John O’Shea, Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson.
A player rarely comes in the opposite direction, but Lammens has become the exception.
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