Manchester United may give new goalkeeper Senne Lammens his first Premier League start on Saturday when they travel to Brentford, reports said. Ruben Amorim’s team has been using Altay Bayindir so far this season as their shot-stopper and they have decided it is time to use their fresh recruit instead.
On September 1, Manchester United announced reaching a mutual transfer agreement with Lammens and Royal Antwerp for a five-year deal amounting to €21m + add-ons. Signing a world-class goalkeeper and a lethal striker was on United's bucket list for this transfer window. For the latter, they tried multiple top-level targets but finished second every time, before settling on the prodigious talent of Benjamin Sesko.
With Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir both failing to live up to their goalkeeper duties last season, pressure was mounting on the United board with manager Ruben Amorim openly vocal about a change in personnel. Onana in particular has been extremely underwhelming behind the sticks and hasn't been an assuring presence for United's backline. Bayindir, while still raw, has also not begun on the right note as he would have expected to. After the dismal 15th place finish last season, the Red Devils are eager to secure European football this season and Amorim will hope that the new signings will help his cause.
ALSO READ:
- AS Roma set to complete Joshua Zirkzee deal with Manchester United; also start process for Axel Disasi loan move from Chelsea
- When will Liverpool's Alexander Isak return if his leg is broken after Tottenham game?
- Alexander Isak injury means Manchester United's Antoine Semenyo transfer dream over: Report
- Manchester United will sell Kobbie Mainoo in January for 'exceptional' sum but no loan deal: Report
Bayindir got his chance to shine this season but failed to shine as the former champions remain eleventh, having conceded eight goals from five games. He was particularly vulnerable in defending corner kicks and short-range shots, costing the team serious points in the back.
Belgium Under-21 international Lammens joined Antwerp in 2023 after nine years in two spells with Club Brugge, where he is remembered for scoring a headed goal in stoppage time against Real Madrid's under-19s in the UEFA Youth League. He made four senior appearances for Brugge before making the switch. As of mid-August 2025, he has made a total of 52 appearances for Antwerp in the Belgian Pro League. Throughout his career, he has a solid save percentage and has also been noted for his ability to save penalties.
Manchester United to sell Altay Bayindir?
However, losing the starting position is just a part of the problem for Turkish international Bayindir. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Ruben Amorim may push for one more senior goalkeeper in the summer. This means after Onana, United may open its doors for Bayindir as well.
Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa, who was considered as an alternative to Lammens, may still get picked in the future, Jacobs reportedly said. The plan is to have a top-class veteran in their ranks until Lammens get fully ready for Premier League. Goalkeeping has really been a headache for the Red Devils ever since parting ways with club legend David de Gea to accomodate a more ball-playing alternative.