Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has shared his thoughts on the club’s new goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, following his impressive debut at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old Belgian shot-stopper joined Manchester United during the summer transfer window for £18.2 million, replacing Andre Onana, who left on loan to Trabzonspor. After initially serving as backup to Altay Bayindir, Lammens finally made his first start in the 2-0 victory against Sunderland.
Despite having just three saves to make, Lammens displayed confidence and control in goal, impressing fans with his composure and distribution. His performance earned him chants of “Are you Schmeichel in disguise?” from the Old Trafford crowd, a moment that reached the United legend himself during an interview on BBC 5 Live.
Schmeichel laughed as he heard the chants and shared his appreciation for the young keeper’s performance. He noted that Manchester United had struggled in recent years with goalkeeping errors leading to unnecessary goals, emphasizing the importance of stability between the posts.
“We have conceded too many goals from errors in recent years,” Schmeichel said. “When I played, our job as goalkeepers was to save the team at least 10 points a season, not lose them. So it’s nice to finally see a solid and confident performance along with a clean sheet.”
Schmeichel’s Earlier Doubts on the Signing
Interestingly, Schmeichel had previously questioned United’s decision to sign Lammens. Speaking to Sky Bet via SunSport last month, he expressed a preference for more proven goalkeepers such as Emiliano Martinez or Gianluigi Donnarumma.
At the time, Schmeichel said, “We should have gone for Emi Martinez. Everything was lined up for that deal, and he’s exactly the kind of goalkeeper Manchester United should have signed.”
However, the Dane admitted that while Lammens’ statistics were strong during his time at Antwerp in Belgium, adapting to the pressure of Manchester United is a completely different challenge.
“Stats don’t show how a player reacts after a mistake or how they handle the pressure that comes with being Manchester United’s No. 1,” Schmeichel added. “That pressure is unlike anywhere else in football.”
Schmeichel described Lammens as a “risk” but also recognized the potential for growth, especially given his youth and solid debut display.
What Comes Next for Senne Lammens
Fans have shown mixed reactions to Lammens’ arrival and debut. Some praised his calmness, while others remain cautious about judging too early. Many believe his true test will come when Manchester United face tougher opponents like Liverpool after the international break.
For now, Lammens has made a strong first impression, and if he continues this form, he could be the steady presence United have been missing in goal.
