Ruben Amorim handed new signing Senne Lammens his long-awaited Manchester United debut on Saturday in the clash against Sunderland at Old Trafford — and the Belgian wasted no time making a statement.

Signed on deadline day from Royal Antwerp, the 22-year-old goalkeeper was chosen ahead of Altay Bayındır by the under-pressure Amorim, who explained before kick-off that his decision was based on rotation and tactical suitability. “It’s rotation. Everyone needs to be ready,” Amorim said. “We want to win every game, and each opponent requires different qualities.”

Lammens’ selection didn’t come out of nowhere. Since arriving for £18.2 million, he’s caught the eye in training with his calm presence and sharp reflexes. Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton recently praised the newcomer, revealing on the Training Ground Guru podcast that he was immediately impressed. “He’s got a strong personality and excellent fundamentals,” Heaton said. “After a couple of training sessions, I told him how good he looked — he’s been very impressive.”

Last season, Lammens was one of the top performers in the Belgian Pro League, keeping seven clean sheets in 30 matches and leading the league in total saves with 173, boasting a 77.4% save rate. Those qualities were on full display against Sunderland, where he showcased not just his shot-stopping ability but also his composure and precise distribution from the back.

United supporters quickly took notice of his performance, flooding social media with praise after the first half. One fan wrote, “Senne Lammens is changing our lives already, and it’s only been 45 minutes.” Another added, “His long passes to Šeško and Mbeumo are incredible — he’s got my attention.”

Others were equally impressed, with one supporter commenting, “Best first half I’ve seen at Old Trafford in ages. Lammens looks like a top keeper — commands his box brilliantly.” Another fan said, “Finally, a goalkeeper who comes out to claim crosses. Lammens might just be the one,” while another added, “He’s brought real stability to the team, and that’s all we’ve been missing.”

Despite a challenging start to the 2025–26 season, United appeared far more assured against Régis Le Bris’s newly promoted side. Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Šeško within the opening 31 minutes set the tone for what fans hope will mark the beginning of a more confident and consistent Manchester United under Amorim.