Manchester United are pushing to secure a new goalkeeper. It could be Senne Lammens.
Early this season, the debate at Manchester United has been over who should start in goal, Altay Bayindir or Andre Onana.
But with United pursuing the signature of Senne Lammens along with Emiliano Martinez, there is new competition coming in, and one of these stoppers will be heading for the exit door.
The goalkeeper who will certainly be sticking around is veteran presence Tom Heaton, currently the third choice.
Tom Heaton is a player who has a unique connection with Senne Lammens.
Tom Heaton warming up for Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Tom Heaton loan at Royal Antwerp
Senne Lammens is currently starring for Belgian side Royal Antwerp, Manchester United’s former partner club.
United had a tie-up with Antwerp during the early 2000s, with Sir Alex Ferguson sending academy talents including Danny Simpson and Dong Fangzhuo to the club.
Another player who had a brief spell in Belgium was Tom Heaton, now 39-years-old and serving a back-up role for United in 2025.
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Heaton went on loan to Antwerp in 2006, in between separate loans at Swindon Town and Cardiff City.
His loan spell did not go as he would have wished. Heaton did not play a single game for Antwerp during his time there.
Belgian connection could help Lammens
Tom Heaton would have a crucial role in helping Senne Lammens integrate at Manchester United, if he is the new goalkeeper who comes in.
Heaton is one of United’s leadership core, who has an influential dressing room role, and this will be especially true with a young goalkeeper arriving.
Their shared Royal Antwerp connection should create a natural bond and talking point beyond their goalkeeping, and Heaton could be crucial to helping the new arrival settle.
As it stands, it remains unclear whether it will be Lammens or Martinez in the door at Old Trafford, but whoever comes in, United fans will be glad for a fresh face.