Senne Lammens has been a solid addition in goal for Manchester United after the club struggled in that position for several seasons before he arrived in the summer
Senne Lammens’ agent has claimed that Manchester United intended to keep Andre Onana at Old Trafford to work alongside the Belgian goalkeeper.
Lammens arrived in M16 this summer for £18.2million, plus add-ons, from Belgian Pro League side Royal Antwerp. The ‘keeper signed a five-year contract after a breakthrough in negotiations before travelling to Manchester to finalise his transfer on deadline day.
The 23-year-old is regarded as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe and has largely impressed so far under Ruben Amorim. Despite keeping just two clean sheets, the shot-stopper has been an assured presence for United‘s defenders, who have been regularly rotated due to form and injury so far this season.
And speaking to Belgian publication HBVL – Lammens’ agent, Mark Volders, has opened up on his client’s move to Amorim’s team while claiming the club changed their plans over Onana. The Cameroonian left United on loan to join Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor soon after Lammens’ arrival in M16.
“Those critical voices… the big problem was that they expected a very well-known name, like [Gianluigi] Donnarumma or [Emiliano] Martínez,” Volders said.
“But actually, for a long time, the intention within United was for Onana to stay and for Senne to be given time to adjust.
“Ultimately, they changed their tune right at the very end, Onana left, and fully embraced Senne. But in hindsight, you can only say that United was right about that.”
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Lammens has recently admitted to being “surprised” by the spirit and togetherness in United’s dressing room upon his arrival.
The ‘keeper sat down with Malaysian broadcaster Stadium Astro to conduct an interview at Carrington, and he was asked who he is closest to in the dressing room. Lammens named two goalkeepers, but admitted he is close to everyone because all the players have a strong bond.
He said: “I would say maybe Tom Heaton or the fourth goalkeeper Dermot Mee or also, like, the Dutch guys, because it’s easier with the language as well. But I think just in general that’s what surprised me the most.
“It’s just the togetherness of the group and of the dressing room. Everyone was really nice. So I don’t really want to say one or two guys. It’s in general with everybody, to be honest.”
Lammens provided further personal insight when he revealed he journals before and after matches. He added: “I think it started when I started played at Antwerp two years ago.
“I like to write things down before and after a game just to get my head into the right mindset. Sometimes if things don’t go right, or you don’t want it in your head, you just write it down to get it off your chest.
“I came up with it [journaling] a little bit myself, but also got it [the idea] from people talking about it as well, so I thought I would give it a try and it actually helped me a lot, so I still do it. Before a game, I write down a little bit about the opponent, about how they will play and put pressure on me. Also individual things, like key points I have to remember throughout the game.”
