Amorim was surprised by Lammens' confidence at Man United.
Manager Ruben Amorim praised Senne Lammens for their confidence after their debut 2-0 clean sheet against Sunderland; Man United are seventh, one point behind the top four, and have scored 12 goals in five unbeaten games.
Senne Lammens' composure in his early days at Old Trafford was a highlight that left manager Ruben Amorim admitting he was "a little surprised." His clean sheet in the 2-0 victory against Sunderland, coupled with a five-match unbeaten run and 12 goals scored, is putting Manchester United back in contention for European qualification.
Opening moment: a clean sheet for change.
Lammens, 23, was signed to replace Andre Onana – who failed to live up to expectations last season. He immediately made his mark with a clean sheet in the 2-0 win against Sunderland. For a goalkeeper, a sense of security is the first and greatest asset; Lammens delivered that in a season where Manchester United finished only 15th in the Premier League.
The influence from the coaching bench
Speaking to Stadium Astro, coach Ruben Amorim emphasized: “Of course, we thoroughly vet players when we buy them. But as I said, the fact that he can handle all the pressure in the goalkeeper position, come here and show such confidence, is something that surprised me a little.”
Amorim also emphasized increasing firepower and stabilizing the defensive structure: “I think we can score at any moment and that is very important, especially in the Premier League.” In their last five unbeaten games, Man United scored 12 goals – a significant contrast to last season when the team only scored 44 goals all season.
Analysis: Confidence spreads from the number one position.
For a goalkeeper, it's not just about making saves; it's also about conveying calmness to the system in front of them. What Lammens demonstrated earliest – from the coach's perspective – was his ability to handle pressure: arriving in a demanding environment like Manchester United, maintaining his mental fortitude and professional effort, thereby building confidence among his teammates.
Amorim spoke frankly about the psychological impact: “The ability to instill confidence in the whole team was a bit of a surprise to me. I wouldn’t say to everyone, but as a coach, I wouldn’t hesitate to say it surprised me.” When the defensive flanks are less shaky, the attacking players have more time and freedom to make a difference – which is reflected in the recent goal output.
The reconstruction picture: over £200 million and the pieces of the puzzle.
Following a poor season, Manchester United overhauled their squad with a budget exceeding £200 million. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, Senne Lammens, and Diego Leon all arrived at Old Trafford, aiming to bring the Red Devils back into European competition. Currently, in the 2025/26 season, they sit 7th, just one point behind 4th place.
Among the new signings, Mbeumo and Cunha stand out thanks to their impactful start; however, the name that surprised coach Amorim was Lammens – not because of impressive statistics, but because of his stable mentality in the most scrutinized position.
Selective statistics
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Current position in the Premier League 2025/26 | 7th place |
| The gap with the team in 4th place. | 1 point |
| Last 5 matches | Undefeated, scoring 12 goals. |
| Goals scored throughout last season | 44 tables |
| Lammen's debut match | Keep a clean sheet and win 2-0 against Sunderland. |
| Summer Reconstruction Budget | Over 200 million pounds |
Impact ahead of the next stage
With a newly redesigned goal that now provides a sense of security, Man United has a clearer foundation for attack. In the context of a close race for the top four, every detail of stability in the back line can have a ripple effect on the rest of the team's structure.
Man United will host Everton at home. A solid goalkeeper won't solve all problems, but as Amorim suggested, it could be the missing piece to help the team maintain form and accumulate points at this crucial time.
