Man Utd scout reveals what he spotted in Lammens in 2019 — and why he never lost track of him

Senne Lammens has been a major success this season and Manchester United's chief goalkeeping scout has told what first put him on his radar.

The 23-year-old arrived from Royal Antwerp before the summer transfer deadline and has since become a regular in the side, also earning his first two senior caps for Belgium.

He arrived at a very difficult moment with the team struggling under Ruben Amorim but he has shown strong belief in himself which is necessary at a top club.

And United's chief goalkeeping scout Tony Coton says it was the way he "protected" the goal that first drew him to his attention back in 2019 when he was playing for the Belgium U17s.

Coton said: "He first came onto my radar at Brugge when I saw him play for Belgium U17s, when he was obviously very raw but I just followed his progress.

He continued: "I saw somebody who loved to protect his goal, it hurt him when a goal went in, it meant something to him.

"Physically he was good for that age and you know there was more to come. So the first thing was protecting his goal and then what had come into the game by then was possession, goalkeepers were required to play out from the back."

And on Lammens technical ability, Coton added: "I'd say from an early age you'd really need to analyse him to say what was his stronger foot."

Lammens desire to win has been clear on the pitch and also when giving interviews.

When asked which player from United's history he said he would have liked to have played with, he immediately said Cristiano Ronaldo - and also Roy Keane.

Lammens said: "It would have to be Ronaldo, growing up I used to follow my brother in everything, the teams he followed was Man Utd and he was a big Ronaldo fan.

"During that time it was prime United in 2008,09, 07 when I was growing up. It is an easy answer.

"I'm also into the mentality as well and the stories you hear about Roy Keane, makes you want to play with them and have them in your team."

Lammens has also enjoyed the turnaround in fortune at United under Michael Carrick since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January on a deal until the end of the season.

United look virtually nailed on to qualify for the Champions League and could yet chase down Manchester City in second place in the Premier League.

Lammens says that for him it is Carrick's messaging that has helped the team most.

He explained: “The first thing, from the first day, was his ability to make everything quite clear and (give) a direct message. He didn’t make it too difficult for us or too complicated.

“Sometimes, managers make a plan too complicated, and then some players don’t buy in and it’s difficult to get on the same level for everyone. But, from the first game, it was quite clear what he wanted.

“He was not asking the most difficult things, but also he was able to let our players thrive in their qualities. At the back, not giving goals away is one of the most important things, and then our players in front can make a difference. That’s probably what has been working the best.”

Lammens has made the goalkeeping position his own since making his debut in early October, and he has felt greater security at the back since Carrick’s arrival.

Speaking after playing for Belgium in their friendly victory over the United States, Lammens said: “We don’t really give away a lot of goals in the beginning of the game, which is probably one of the most important things in the Premier League.

“Michael has given us a lot of confidence and a lot of stability from the back. At the beginning of the season, there were a couple of players injured and a couple of defenders coming in and going out. It was difficult to get the rhythm.”