Senne Lammens: A giant reason for optimism at Manchester United

“Are you Schmeichel in disguise?” chanted the Stretford End as new Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens made his debut in the 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford.

It was sung with tongue firmly in cheek. You can’t seriously compare the 23-year-old Belgian, who has played just one full season of football in the Belgian Pro-League, to the greatest goalkeeper in United’s history. Particularly after just one game.

However, the song also hinted at renewed optimism after witnessing United’s first clean sheet of the season. A refreshed hope that the calamities of recent predecessors Andre Onana and Altay Bayındır could be a thing of the past.

Positivity has been in short supply recently and the young keeper has already got the fans on his side.

Lammens won the Man of the Match award for his performance against Sunderland. Peter Schmeichel, the great Dane himself, described the youngster as ‘really good’ and ‘solid’.

The Manchester United legend told BBC Radio 5 Live : “You think about the goalkeeping that we have had over the last couple of years and how many goals we have conceded from errors from goalkeepers. What was it, nine errors already this season?

“That’s what we have got used to in the last couple of years – goalkeepers giving goals away, and therefore we’re losing points. So it’s nice to see first of all a clean sheet, then a really good and solid goalkeeping performance.

“We had to save the team ten points a season, not give them away.”

United have overhauled their data department under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The club cited a series of impressive metrics after recruiting Lammens from Royal Antwerp this summer for a reported transfer fee of $24m.

United’s looming 6’3” keeper led the charts across Europe’s top 10 leagues last season for shot stopping. Lammens made the most total saves at 172, with just over a 77% save percentage. According to Opta, he was expected to concede 67.4 goals from 222 shots on target but only let in 50.

Graphic and stats from @ OptaAnalyst on X

Transferring those performances at Antwerp to a club like Manchester United is a monumental step and building confidence in the player and the team is key. It is likely why Lemmens’ debut was delayed until the home match against Sunderland.

The new No. 1 could have been thrown straight into the match against Manchester City in the first Premier League match after he signed on transfer deadline day. However, a high-profile mistake in the derby could have proved terminal to his fledgling career at Old Trafford. Good management from Ruben Amorim.

Seeing a giant goalkeeper come off his line and collect a couple of crosses in a dominant manner must have been as much of a relief to United’s defenders as it was for the fans. Lemmens ability to pluck the ball out of the air was highlighted in the data from his time in Belgium and early signs suggest he’ll continue that in the Premier League.

The 6’3” stopper was called on to make just three saves against the Black Cats but the trio included a full-stretch save to turn the ball around the post from Granit Xhaka’s curling shot and a one-on-one save with his leg when Chemsdine Talbi was put through.

So, the early signs are good with regards to his shot stopping but strikers in the Premier League are more accurate and clinical than in the Pro-League. It remains to be seen if he can post the same sort of metrics against superior opponents.

It was also notable that Manchester United changed their style with Lemmens in goal. The big Belgian, who appeared comfortable with both his left and right foot when clearing the ball, hit 86.4% of his 44 passes long down the pitch. According to Opta, that compares to just 56.5% on average by Bayindir this season.

With 6’4” striker Benjamin Sesko now leading the line the direct option will allow United to vary their attacking options and be much less predictable. With Liverpool up next, long passes behind their advanced full-backs will be an area to exploit.

It wasn’t all good news for Lemmens on his debut. The goalkeeper raced out of his goal to make a second-half clearance but was beaten to the ball by Bertrand Traore, who tumbled to the ground. However, the Sunderland man was booked for diving.

It could have been a very different decision on a different day. Maybe Lemmens can also bring back some of that luck United seem to be missing.