Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has delivered a stark assessment of the club's goalkeeping situation, declaring that summer signing Senne Lammens is 'not good enough' to be the team's first-choice starter.
Lammens' Big-Money Move Questioned
United opted to replace Andre Onana last summer, securing the signature of Lammens from Belgian side Royal Antwerp in a deal worth an initial £18 million. The transfer, completed in the closing stages of the window, came after the 23-year-old had made just 52 appearances in the Belgian Pro League.
While the young goalkeeper has impressed during his initial months at Old Trafford and even earned praise from legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Meulensteen believes he is not yet ready for the immense pressure of being United's number one.
Defensive Woes a Priority for Carrick
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Meulensteen expanded his critique to United's overall defensive fragility. He argued that the team concedes far too many goals and lacks solidity, a flaw opponents are quick to analyse and exploit.
He directly compared United's situation to their rivals, stating: 'Look at Arsenal, they've got a really good goalkeeper, Liverpool good goalkeeper, City, United it's not good enough, the goalkeepers are not good enough.'
Meulensteen did acknowledge Lammens' potential, calling him 'potentially a really good goalkeeper,' but insisted that for the current moment, he falls short of the standard required. He pointed to Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa as the type of proven, game-winning goalkeeper United need.
A Crucial Task for the Interim Boss
The former United coach also turned his attention to newly appointed interim head coach Michael Carrick, who will lead the team until the end of the season. Meulensteen, who rates Carrick highly, said the former midfielder's immediate and vital task is to organise the defence and start securing clean sheets.
'He has to work in certain aspects, coaching on that pitch is going to be vital,' Meulensteen said. He highlighted the need to coach a clear defensive shape, especially with crucial fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal on the horizon.
While believing the defensive issues are fixable, Meulensteen suggested Carrick faces a selection puzzle, noting uncertainties in goal, midfield, and at the back, despite the attacking power at the club's disposal.
The critique sets the stage for a challenging period for Carrick, who must quickly address these fundamental problems if United are to improve their fortunes this season.
