Senne Lammens was handed another start for Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Lammens started again on Saturday
Lammens started again on Saturday
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As a Brighton corner curled into the Manchester United box in the first half at Old Trafford on Saturday, the delivery never really looked like causing the home side any issues.
The cross always looked like being far too close to Senne Lammens, who duly collected the ball under no pressure from any of the opposition players who had made their way forward.
It was the sort of collection a goalkeeper would complete 100 times a day in training with no real fuss, and yet it was met with a roar of appreciation from the United crowd.
Anyone just tuning in to watch the game would be forgiven for assuming Lammens had dropped a clanger earlier in the contest and the reaction from the fans was one of sarcasm. But there was absolutely nothing sarcastic about it.
United fans have had to watch games through their fingers for the last two years, as Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have continued to commit errors that have cost their side points.
In Lammens, while still early days, United have a goalkeeper who oozes confidence, and you can see the impact it is having on the players in front of him.
Ruben Amorim admitted ahead of the Brighton game that he had been surprised by the impact the 23-year-old had made since his move from Royal Antwerp in the summer transfer window, going on to commend the goalkeeper for the way he has handled the pressure at Old Trafford.
There will be tougher times ahead for Lammens. Every footballer makes mistakes, and when that first one drops for Lammens the true test of his character will come.
But for now, Lammens can only be judged on his work at Old Trafford so far.
When routine catches are being cheered almost as loudly as a goal, you know that something's up. The Old Trafford crowd know their goalkeeping nightmares might be a thing of the past, and they've every reason to celebrate it.
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