Manchester United’s decision to sign 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens has already sparked serious discussions at Old Trafford but according to their former manager it is not a short-term project.
The young goalkeeper is expected to one day become “the best in the world” and potentially supplant one of the greatest Belgian goalkeepers of all time.
Given United’s rebuild under Rúben Amorim, Lammens is seen as a key part of the club’s long-term strategy.
After struggling with goalkeepers like Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, United invested in a new keeper during the summer transfer window and their decision raised eyebrows given they signed a goalkeeper who was untested at the highest level.
Man United signed Senne Lammens this summer
United signed Lammens from Royal Antwerp for around £18m in the 2025 summer window.
Despite just one full season of experience in the Belgian top flight, United have placed their faith in the goalkeeper.
Having settled in, he only made his debut recently, against Sunderland, where he kept a clean sheet and received widespread praise.
His former coach at Club Brugge, Hayk Milkon, now publicly predicts a meteoric rise:
“I wasn’t surprised when I saw that Manchester United called me. And to record his first clean sheet, I was really happy for him,” Milkon told the Manchester Evening News.
“Senne is a potential No. 1 for the Red Devils [and] the Belgian national team.
“He had his chance, he took it and we are all very proud of him, but we knew this would happen.
“I think he has all the abilities to become the best in the world, so I wish him all the best.”
“I’m sure he will have a very good career in England and Manchester United should come back to the great club they were. He will have a positive impact on that, that’s for sure.”
Lammens needs more time to prove himself
Milkon’s support is bold, not least because it includes the claim that Lammens could soon take over the starting role for Belgium, replacing Thibaut Courtois, who is still considered one of the elites of his era.
Lammens still lacks Premier League experience and needs to adapt to his physicality, pace and scrutiny. He still has a long way to go to become one of the best in the league, let alone one of the best in the world.
While the early signs are encouraging, such praise could put pressure on the goalkeeper and a number of United’s signings in the recent past have struggled to live up to high expectations.
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