Senne Lammens completed a deadline day move to Manchester United in the summer but things nearly turned out very differently.
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim made it clear that a new goalkeeper was needed in the summer as Andre Onana was pushed to the exit and joined Trabzonspor on loan.
Despite United’s links to Gianluigi Donnarumma and Emiliano Martinez, Ineos stuck to their data-driven approach and chose a £19 million deal for Senne Lammens.
Senne Lammens saved Man Utd at the end vs Bournemouth
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Lammens has been excellent for United since joining, and in the latest 4-4 draw to Bournemouth he defended United’s unbeaten record at Old Trafford when leading at half-time.
The 23-year-old shot-stopper is already being considered a hugely successful signing, but he almost ended up at Villa Park.
Senne Lammens during the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United at the Molineux in Wolverhampton, England, in 2025.
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Aston Villa agreed a higher fee for Senne Lammens
Antwerp were delighted with the Lammens deal that saw him make a move to Old Trafford, but the Belgian side did actually receive a higher offer for the goalkeeper.
Reportedly, Aston Villa agreed a deal for Lammens having lined him up as a replacement for Martinez.
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Amorim preferred to sign Martinez over Lammens, but Ineos overruled and chose the Belgian. In hindsight, it is a decision the recruitment team can be proud of.
Wes Brown believes Senne Lammens has a bright future at Man Utd
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When United came calling, Senne Lammens made it clear that he preferred a move to Old Trafford. That was a recurring theme this summer, with Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo also turning down other offers to push through a move to Manchester.
Senne Lammens can sting Aston Villa
United resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, and Unai Emery’s side are enjoying a nine-game winning streak.
It is up to Amorim to put a stop to that streak, and Lammens could have a huge role to play at Villa Park against a side that desperately wanted to sign him.
READ MORE: Edwin van der Sar’s reacts to Man Utd’s defensive problems and Senne Lammens’ performance
United currently find themselves seven points behind Villa in the Premier League table, so Lammens could help the Red Devils take points off a top-four rival this weekend.
It would rub salt into Villa’s wounds after they missed out on Lammens and ended up keeping hold of Martinez in the summer.
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