- Man Utd gamble on untested Belgian keeper
- Rivals shunned Lammens over skillset doubts
- Onana & Bayindir futures uncertain
Lammens was hardly a mystery man to English clubs. Several sides monitored him, but scouts were not entirely convinced he could handle the relentless demands of the Liga Premier. The price tag, hefty by any measure, only deepened their reluctance. The Daily Mail claim that those in Bélgica believe Sunderland y Leeds both explored a possible move. But once they learned the fee involved, both quickly withdrew, deciding the risk outweighed the potential reward.
Other top-flight scouts raised familiar concerns: the Premier League is a brutal proving ground for goalkeepers. It requires agility, resilience under pressure, and the mental strength to recover instantly from mistakes in unforgiving atmospheres. Lammens’ raw potential was evident, but doubts lingered about throwing him straight into the furnace of England‘s top division. Those who passed on him weren’t necessarily questioning his future, only whether he was ready now. Unido, though, chose to see him as a gamble worth taking.
The signing inevitably raises questions about the futures of United’s current keepers. Andre Onana’s struggles have been well-documented, while Altay Bayindir has also looked shaky since stepping in. For now, the club insists neither man is on the verge of an exit. But the market is still open in Turkiye and Saudi Arabia until mid-September, meaning there remains a slim chance of movement.
If no departures materialise, United could face an unusual scenario, carrying four senior goalkeepers into the campaign. Lammens joins Onana, Bayindir, and experienced veteran Tom Heaton in Ruben Amorim’s squad.
