Manchester United brought in Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day to address issues posed by Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in goal, but Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer aren't sold on the Beligan
Senne Lammens poses for a picture
Senne Lammens signed for Manchester United on transfer deadline day(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker are concerned that Senne Lammens may not be up to the task at hand at Manchester United.
The Belgian goalkeeper was brought in by the Red Devils from Royal Antwerp as an £18.2million deadline day swoop, after the suitability of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir was brought into question. Bayindir was lambasted for a costly mistake, which saw Arsenal run out 1-0 winners over United at Old Trafford in their opening game of the season.
Meanwhile, Onana was a part of Ruben Amorim's squad that was dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town on penalties last month. During the match, he fumbled a set-piece clearance to allow the League Two side to go 2-0 up in the first half.
Many United fans will be eager to see inspired performances with a new No. 1, but Lineker and Shearer aren't convinced the 23-year-old is the right man for the job.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker said: "Manchester United have brought in a goalkeeper, Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp who apparently made more saves than any other goalkeeper last season. That doesn't always mean what it sounds like it means, they might have just been a bad team at Royal Antwerp."
Shearer added: "Young for the situation that he has to go into. If he's going to go straight in there, that's going to be a big ask for him. What happened to the Emi Martinez deal? I don't know because he didn't play the other night, did he?
"Obviously, he didn't get the move that he wanted. So that's going to be a big ask for a young goalkeeper to go in there and start and perform."
Gary Lineker speaks on The Rest Is Football
Gary Lineker questioned Senne Lammens' stats
Lammens conceded 32 goals in 30 appearances in the Belgian Pro League for Royal Antwerp last term, keeping an impressive seven clean sheets for the campaign. He was also named the league's Player of the Month on two occasions and made 173 saves in total for the season, more than any other goalkeeper in Europe's top 10 leagues.
Amorim's side have lost, drawn, and won their opening three Premier League games against Arsenal, Fulham, and Burnley, respectively, with Bayindir between the sticks. And heading into the last couple of weeks of the transfer window, the Portuguese tactician even denied claims that United needed a new shot stopper.
Following their opening day loss to Arsenal, Amorim told a press conference: "I'm happy with the three goalkeepers. He [Bayindir] chooses to get the ball, but he's getting pushed. That is my feeling when I see the play.
"You choose to push a player [out of the way] or to get the ball in that moment. He needs to use his hands to catch the ball, not push players. He chooses to push players and let the ball pass."
Altay Bayindir looks dejected
Altay Bayindir has seemingly lost his spot(Image: Getty Images)
However, the tune seemingly changed at Old Trafford as deadline day closed in, with United launching a pursuit of Aston Villa No. 1, Emiliano Martinez. The 32-year-old made it clear that he wanted a move to the Red Devils, but the board instead opted to bring in Lammens, who is nine years the Argentine's junior.
The Old Trafford elite will have a little while to wait before they see Lammens in action, however, given the Premier League is currently on pause for an international break. Fans may see the capabilities of the new boy when the Manchester Derby takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Find more about Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker agree on Ruben Amorim after seeing Man United boss' behaviour
Find more about Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker agree on Ruben Amorim after seeing Man United boss' behaviour