Manchester United in frantic push for star goalkeeper – Is Andre Onana’s time up?
Andre Onana is set to remain at Manchester United, even as the club intensifies its pursuit of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. Sources suggest that Lammens, who is valued at £17 million, is being targeted to provide serious competition for the number one goalkeeper spot at Old Trafford.
Negotiations between United and Lammens have accelerated recently, particularly after Altay Bayindir struggled during a match against Arsenal. Bayindir’s inability to deal with a corner from Declan Rice directly led to a goal, prompting questions about United’s depth in goal.
Despite overcoming a hamstring problem picked up in pre-season, Onana was left out of the squad against Arsenal. Manager Amorim explained his decision, saying, “We try to choose the best players for each game, so next week is a different life. This week, we chose these players. No (he is not injured), he’s recovered, but the other guys did so well during pre-season, so I need to balance that.”
Lammens, who has made 60 senior appearances for Antwerp since his debut in November 2023 and kept 12 clean sheets, is seen as a rising talent. His performances earned him a call-up to the Belgian national team for their Nations League play-offs against Ukraine, though he did not get on the pitch.
The Belgian’s potential arrival is expected to further strengthen United’s goalkeeping department, increasing competition and providing more options for the coaching staff. Lammens himself has expressed readiness for the Premier League, believing that his physical style and approach align well with English football.
Reflecting on United’s interest, Lammens said, “The first time I heard I thought, ‘Wow’. Immediately a world [renowned] team that follows you. That is special. Of course, I was also spoken to about it a lot and when I made a save in training, it was United this, United that [from colleagues]… It’s only positive. Especially because it’s the best competition in the world and my profile, my stature and way of playing, is similar to English football. You have to physically hold your own there and that suits me.”
While Onana is likely to reclaim his starting role for United’s upcoming fixture against Fulham, the imminent arrival of Lammens signals a competitive shake-up between the posts, setting the stage for a closely-watched battle for the number one shirt.
