When Senne Lammens walked into Old Trafford, most fans squinted at the team sheet and asked, “Who ordered the new Belgian?” But at his very last whistle of the debut, the chant– Are you Schmeichel in disguise?–was roaring down the Stretford End. The hype surrounding Senne Lammens is not an accident, but a consequence of years of hard work, isolation, and, seemingly, the flicker of gym lights at some time of the night, when nobody was home anymore.
When Confidence Wears Goalkeeper Gloves.
Coaching staff of Manchester United were reportedly reluctant initially to transact another goalkeeper. Yet, in the wake of the shaky legs of Onana, and the false booberies of Bayindir, Lammens with his calmness and his mastery of the technical, could no longer be overlooked. It is an example of a goalkeeper who headed a stoppage-time equalizer in the dependence of Club Brugge in the UEFA Youth League. Suppose you were as confident as that–actually make goals with your head when you should use your hands.
His technical dexterity isn’t a gimmick; insiders say Lammens often asked to play outfield in training. Most keepers panic when the ball touches their feet—Lammens practically starts samba drills.
Senne Lammens: The Night Owl Who Outworked the Odds
One story stands out. Late at night, long after teammates had gone home, Lammens returned to Brugge’s empty gym for another session. He wasn’t told to. He just felt he hadn’t done enough. That’s not ambition—that’s obsession wearing shin guards. Coaches worried he pushed himself too far, but clearly, that inner pressure forged the calm titan who now guards United’s goal.
Author Approach: Relaxed, Composed, and Sometimes a Little intense.
So that football is a symphony, and Lammens is that one percussionist who arrives early, recomposes the music, and then can get a second wind to play the finale. He is a young, crude, and breath-of-fresh-air team member who does not bother with the spotlight of Old Trafford. Amorim might retain him, starting against Liverpool–and in the event that he closes them, the legend starts.
So yes, Senne Lammens might not be Schmeichel yet—but if you squint, stay up late, and believe in Belgian miracles, you might just see the resemblance.
As featured on ManUNews.com
