Senne Lammens names the Manchester United legend he 'resonates with'

It has been a very good start to life at Manchester United for Senne Lammens (Picture: Getty Images)

Senne Lammens is trying to walk in the footsteps of some great Manchester United goalkeepers, feeling there is one that really ‘resonates’ with him.

The 23-year-old is proving to be an excellent signing for the Red Devils, after his somewhat surprising arrival from Royal Antwerp in the summer.

With Andre Onana on his way out of Old Trafford , United were looking for a new first choice and eventually plumped for the young stopper who had never played outside of the Belgian league.

Lammens had not been capped by Belgium at that point either, so it seemed like a significant gamble, but it is one that is paying off.

Now a one-cap Belgium international, Lammens is only 21 games into his Manchester United career, but has ended the debate over what the club should do in the goalkeeping department, such have been his calm, impressive performances.

The summer signing says his development was helped by watching former Manchester United goalkeepers, partly David De Gea, but more so Edwin van der Sar .

‘Growing up, of course, David De Gea was and is still a big goalkeeper in the world, especially those years when he was at his height in this club, so of course you watch him most of the time,’ Lammens told Premier League Productions.

Edwin van der Sar won the Champions League and four Premier League titles with the Red Devils (Picture: Getty Images)

‘But when I was growing up, it was 2008/2009, that was prime United as well, so it was van der Sar in goal then. I don’t really recall one particular save… I think I also can resonate with him more.

‘Our characters are maybe a bit more alike, and just every game he was solid and he was there and he was a rock behind the defence. That’s also when I always tell some teammates, because you’re at this big club and you have so many good team-mates, you also sometimes have to give them the possibility to shine.

‘As a goalkeeper, sometimes you just don’t really have to make too many big saves, you just don’t want to give the game away, you always want to stay in the game. So then it’s players like Bruno Fernandes or other people, attackers can make the difference in the game, so that’s also something I’m trying to do, to keep my team in the game when it needs to be.’

Lammens has helped create a Champions League challenge again for Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images)

Van der Sar arrived at Manchester United in entirely different circumstances to Lammens, signing from Fulham in 2005 as a vastly experienced 34-year-old.

It may have seemed unlikely when he signed an initial two-year deal, but the Dutchman remained at the club for six seasons, making 266 appearances in all competitions.

He won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and two League Cups, before retiring in 2011.

Manchester United’s Belgian goalkeeper #31 Senne Lammens (C) clears the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 25, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Lammens has an awful long way to get near the achievements of Van der Sar, and former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen is not convinced he is up to the task.

‘While Senne Lammens has done well, he’s not yet at the level Manchester United needs in terms of personality, leadership, and certain aspects of his goalkeeping,’ the Dutch coach told BetGoat.

‘I still think there are some weaknesses there. Furthermore, you’re not in Europe at the moment, which presents another challenge altogether when you have to play in the Champions League against big teams.

‘For me, every good, successful team that has won trophies had an outstanding goalkeeper, an absolute outstanding goalkeeper.