Will Senne Lammens Be Manchester United’s New No.1? Gary Neville Weighs In On Goalkeeper Debate

For decades, Manchester United have been a club synonymous with world-class goalkeepers. From Peter Schmeichel’s commanding presence in the 1990s to Edwin van der Sar’s elegance and composure in the 2000s, the Red Devils have often relied on stability between the posts to underpin their success. Even David de Gea, despite his turbulent end at Old Trafford, spent much of his career as the club’s savior during turbulent seasons.

But the dawn of the 2025/26 campaign has seen United plunged into fresh uncertainty in the goalkeeping department. Andre Onana, signed with high expectations after his Champions League heroics at Inter Milan, and Altay Bayindir, recruited as a reliable backup, have both faltered in spectacular fashion. The consequence? A deadline day move for Senne Lammens, a 23-year-old Belgian stopper who suddenly finds himself under the microscope.

The question now is simple, yet loaded with intrigue: will Senne Lammens be Manchester United’s new No.1?

Gary Neville Reveals Man Utd’s Goalkeeping Plan

Senne Lammens Manchester United 2025

Few figures are as closely associated with Manchester United’s defensive legacy as Gary Neville. A one-club man, a title-winning captain, and now a prominent pundit, Neville’s views often offer a glimpse into the inner workings of his former side. Speaking recently to NBC Sports, Neville admitted he had been making calls to people inside Old Trafford about United’s sudden pivot in the transfer market.

“I’ve been asking around about that one this morning and spoke to a few people at United,” Neville revealed. “The feeling is the new boy coming in would probably be a No. 2 who would start on the bench, but they absolutely do need a No.1.”

That remark is telling. For all the buzz surrounding Lammens, United’s decision to spend £18 million on him appears less about anointing him as their first-choice goalkeeper from day one, and more about future planning. The club clearly recognized the instability caused by Onana’s errors and Bayindir’s shaky start, but it seems Amorim’s coaching staff want to ease Lammens into life in the Premier League.

Still, football has a way of fast-tracking such plans.

Andre Onana & Altay Bayindir Struggles Create Opening

United’s goalkeeper crisis hasn’t developed overnight—it has been brewing since Onana’s arrival. The Cameroonian was heralded for his ball-playing ability and calmness under pressure, but the Premier League has proven an unforgiving stage. Costly mistakes, most notably in the humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, have left fans questioning whether he has the mentality for United’s unique cauldron.

Bayindir, meanwhile, was supposed to be the dependable option in case Onana needed rest or rotation. Instead, his early outings were marred by nervousness. The Turkish international conceded four goals in United’s first three league games, making avoidable errors against Arsenal and Burnley.

It left Amorim with little choice but to push for reinforcements. Lammens may not have been the high-profile signing some supporters craved—Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa was heavily linked—but the Belgian represents something different: a long-term project, a goalkeeper with years ahead of him to develop, and someone perhaps less scarred by Old Trafford’s pressure.

Who Is Senne Lammens?

Ruben Amorim Manchester United 2025-26

For those less familiar with the name, Senne Lammens is far from an unknown in European football circles. A product of Club Brugge’s academy, he developed a reputation as one of Belgium’s most promising young goalkeepers. His performances at youth level even drew comparisons to Thibaut Courtois—a lofty name to live up to, but not without merit.

Tall, athletic, and confident when coming off his line, Lammens has long been tipped for a move to one of Europe’s elite leagues. His composure with the ball at his feet makes him an intriguing fit for Amorim’s tactical philosophy, which demands goalkeepers play as auxiliary sweepers and contribute to build-up play.

At just 23, he is still years away from his prime. Most goalkeepers don’t peak until their late twenties, meaning United have invested in potential rather than an immediate superstar.

Will Lammens Start The Manchester Derby?

The immediate question for United fans is whether they will see their £18 million signing thrown straight into the fire of a Manchester derby. The Red Devils face City on September 14, a fixture already weighted with pressure given their slow start to the campaign.

Logic suggests Amorim might resist making such a bold move. Throwing a young goalkeeper into a derby debut could either create a fairytale beginning or scar his confidence before it even begins. Still, with Onana’s credibility crumbling and Bayindir’s errors piling up, the temptation to hand Lammens the gloves may prove irresistible.

It’s a delicate balancing act: patience versus necessity.

The Bigger Picture: United’s Goalkeeping Legacy

This isn’t the first time Manchester United have faced a goalkeeping conundrum. Sir Alex Ferguson famously cycled through a carousel of keepers between Schmeichel’s retirement and van der Sar’s arrival, with names like Mark Bosnich, Fabian Barthez, and Tim Howard all failing to truly convince.

It took stability in the form of van der Sar and then De Gea to end the uncertainty. But here we are again, in 2025, with United once more searching for their next reliable presence between the posts. The stakes could hardly be higher. For all the investment in attacking players and defensive reinforcements, a weak link in goal has the power to derail entire seasons.

Neville’s Warning And The Path Ahead

Neville’s assessment is pragmatic. By all accounts, Lammens is unlikely to be immediately crowned United’s savior. But as he rightly pointed out, United desperately need a true No.1—and whether by design or by circumstance, Lammens may soon have the chance to claim that role.

The Belgian’s challenge will be immense. The Premier League is a brutal testing ground, particularly for young goalkeepers still learning their trade. Every mistake is magnified, every decision scrutinized. But history has shown that United fans embrace players who show resilience and fight, even in adversity.

If Lammens can demonstrate those qualities, he might just find himself following in the footsteps of some legendary names.

Conclusion: Will Senne Lammens Be Manchester United’s New No.1?

So, will Senne Lammens be Manchester United’s new No.1? The honest answer is that it’s too early to tell. What is clear, though, is that the door has opened for him in a way he might not have expected. Onana and Bayindir’s struggles have accelerated his path, and while the plan may have been for him to learn from the bench, football often rewrites scripts on its own terms.

United’s supporters, weary of recent instability, will be watching closely. If Lammens can seize his opportunity and establish himself as a reliable presence, his £18 million move could prove one of the smartest pieces of business in years. If not, the search for stability between the posts may once again stretch into another era of trial and error.

For now, all eyes are on September 14—and whether the Belgian’s first steps in Manchester red begin on derby day.