Rúben Amorim has made a final decision on whether Senne Lammens will start against Manchester City or if he will have to wait for his debut.
Senne Lammens officially signed for Manchester United on Deadline Day, becoming the club’s fourth senior goalkeeper and displacing Andre Onana in the pecking order.
Onana now looks set to spend the 2025/26 season on loan at Trabzonspor in Turkey, with Altay Bayindir and Lammens battling for the first-choice position under Rúben Amorim.
United’s new goalkeeper may not be the starting shotstopper from the outset, but he has spent the international break at Carrington, preparing for the Manchester derby with Amorim.
Bayindir was called up by Turkey, but was an unused substitute for the 3-2 victory over Georgia and the 6-0 defeat to Spain.
Lammens set to start against Manchester City
Reports when Lammens first joined the club indicated that he would be competing for the first-choice spot, but wouldn’t become the starter from the off, but this may have changed over the international break.
Pete O’Rourke – via Football Insider – has reported that “Amorim is prepared to throw Senne Lammens straight into the Manchester United starting lineup for their game against Manchester City.”
With Bayindir’s shaky start to the season, Lammens could be chosen for the Manchester derby if he impresses in training over the next week. Being at Carrington could seriously benefit the 23-year-old.
The report continues to say: “[Lammens is] seen as a long-term solution to the Red Devils’ goalkeeping issues,” and was signed over Emiliano Martínez due to his age.
However, Radek Vitek and Elyh Harrison will be fighting for the first-choice spot in the coming years if they continue to develop into impressive goalkeepers.
A big test for Lammens
If Lammens is immediately thrown into the starting lineup against Manchester City, he could be in for a tough encounter against one of the best teams in the world.
However, United have been impressive this season, and individual errors have been the downfall in the backline. Perhaps, Lammens can bring stability to the defence, but that is a big ask for such a young goalkeeper.
The more experienced central defenders – Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw – could be picked for the Manchester derby, as this could help settle Lammens’ nerves, but Leny Yoro seems undroppable.
Amorim has a big decision on his hands ahead of the derby. Should he stick, or twist?
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