Senne Lammens made an impressive Manchester United debut against Sunderland, keeping a clean sheet in a comfortable 2-0 victory. The 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper's confident first appearance sparked enthusiastic reactions from Old Trafford supporters.
United fans chanted "Are you Schmeichel in disguise?" at Lammens during the match, celebrating his commanding performance like they would react to a goal. The goalkeeper was immediately congratulated by Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw after the final whistle.
Ruben Amorim praised his new goalkeeper's debut performance. "I think he looks confident in the first game, but the important thing is that the teammates help Senne to have a good game," the United manager said. "Because everyone was focused, not a lot of mistakes, against a team that was really comfortable playing football."
Training and preparation
According to Manchester Evening News, Lammens has impressed coaches with his work ethic, arriving first to training and staying late for extra distribution sessions. Club officials have reportedly not uttered "one bad word" about the goalkeeper since his deadline day arrival from Royal Antwerp.
Amorim explained the delay in Lammens' debut was deliberate preparation. "When Senne arrived here, first of all, Altay was playing, and then he arrives, and you can feel it, that he needs to adapt," he said. "New country, new training, the pressure that you guys put on the goalkeepers are massive."
United secured Lammens for £18.2 million on deadline day, having considered Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez. The transfer fee could prove to be a bargain if he develops into the player United scouts believe he can become.
Expert assessment
Peter Schmeichel has emphasised the importance of managing expectations while praising the clean sheet achievement, according to Daily Star. The Manchester United legend's measured response reflects the pressure facing goalkeepers at Old Trafford.
Mason Mount highlighted Lammens' impact on the team's overall performance. "Senne coming in as well. It was a solid performance," Mount said. "Any danger of them pressing, he puts it into Ben [Sesko] and we work off that. I think he kind of released the pressure a lot today."
Lammens has already sorted private housing and appears to be planning a long-term stay at United, according to Manchester Evening News. His next genuine test will come against Liverpool after the international break.
Sources used: "Manchester Evening News", "Daily Star" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
