Gary Neville's Initial Concerns Over Manchester United's Goalkeeper Signing
Gary Neville has openly expressed his pleasant surprise at the performance of Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, after harboring initial fears that the young Belgian might struggle at Old Trafford. Last summer, United secured Lammens in an £18 million deal from Royal Antwerp, a move that raised eyebrows among pundits and fans alike.
Lammens' Rapid Rise in the Manchester United Pecking Order
Initially expected to serve as a backup, the 23-year-old has swiftly surpassed Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir to become a key figure between the posts. Despite challenges in keeping clean sheets, Lammens has been instrumental in United's recent success, contributing to five wins in their last six matches. This surge has propelled the team into the Champions League positions under the guidance of caretaker manager Michael Carrick.
In a standout performance during United's 1-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Lammens earned high praise from Toffees boss David Moyes, who described him as 'bloody brilliant'. Neville, analyzing the match on his Sky Sports podcast, selected Lammens as his 'man of the match', highlighting the goalkeeper's composure and technical quality.
Neville's Candid Reflections on Lammens' Adaptation
Neville admitted his early concerns, fearing Lammens might get 'eaten up' in the Premier League due to his youth and lack of pedigree in English football. 'I had my concerns when he came in,' Neville stated. 'I thought: "Why would you take a chance with a goalkeeper who's young, who's not got the pedigree, he's played in a different league, he's going to come to Manchester United and it could eat him up".'
However, Neville now believes Lammens possesses the temperament and skills to thrive. 'It is early, but he looks like he's got the temperament and he's got the technical quality,' he added. 'This kid, he's come in and I really have been impressed with him. He looks like he's got a big, big future.'
Endorsements from Football Legends and Future Prospects
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has also commended Lammens' adaptation to the Premier League. Van der Sar, a four-time Premier League champion with United, noted, 'He's doing well. Of course, it's only been seven or eight months, but it certainly looks like he knows the physicality of the Premier League.'
With United's improved form and Lammens' steady performances, the future looks promising for the young goalkeeper as he continues to defy expectations and solidify his place at one of football's most scrutinized clubs.
