Senne Lammens made his Manchester United debut in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday and has already forced people to revise their opinions of him
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens impressed on his debut against Sunderland
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Senne Lammens is already making his critics reassess their views of him after his impressive Manchester United debut.
The shot-stopper recorded a clean sheet during United's 2-0 Premier League victory against Sunderland on Saturday after being picked ahead of Altay Bayindir. The Belgium international, who arrived at United from Royal Antwerp for £18million in the summer transfer window, delivered a commanding performance at Old Trafford.
Such was the 23-year-old's authority in his penalty area that fans even sang chants of "are you Schmeichel in disguise?" One person who initially harboured doubts about Lammens' signing was former United goalkeeper Ben Foster, who represented the club from 2005 to 2010 and currently hosts his own podcast.
The former England and Wrexham shot-stopper branded the deadline day acquisition as a "panic buy" and "desperate" when the transfer was completed. However, he now seems to have altered his stance after commending Lammens' display on his first appearance and calling on manager Ruben Amorim to award him the No.1 shirt on a permanent basis.
Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, he said: "It was a brilliant debut. I think the debut is such an important thing for a goalkeeper for that club and he handled it with flying colours. They've got to stick with him now.
"If they're bringing him in now, just before the international break it's a statement, [saying], 'You're our number one goalkeeper now for the rest of the season. Let's see what you're made of.'"
Altay Bayindir congratulates Senne Lammens after Manchester United's victory over Sunderland
Altay Bayindir was replaced by Senne Lammens in goal for Manchester United's victory over Sunderland
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Reports suggest that United officials have been impressed with Lammens since his transfer from Antwerp. They are also believed to feel vindicated in their decision to chase the budding star over a more experienced professional like Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez.
Speaking on Foster's podcast, ex-England goalkeeper coach Dave Watson praised the keeper's performance against Sunderland and praised Amorim for his patience in integrating him into United's first team.
He said: "For him not to get any criticism, and come through the game clean, it can't be a better start. That is an amazing platform for him to push on, and I will be really interested to see how he does.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been praised for gradually phasing Lammens in
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"For all the stick that Amorim's had, I think it would have been easy for him to put him straight in when he did sign. I actually think he's been quite clever in waiting for the team to pick up a little bit."
Lammens' rise follows Andre Onana's loan departure after a mistake-riddled two years in Manchester. The Cameroonian is now reportedly poised for a permanent switch to Trabzonspor after joining the Turkish outfit on a season-long loan late in the summer window.
Onana has had a promising start at his new club, managing two clean sheets in his first four matches. Trabzonspor don't have an option to sign him permanently as part of their loan agreement with United, but they are reportedly eager to retain him nonetheless.