📊 The Numbers Behind His Rise
Statistically, Lammens stands out. United insiders point to his ability to claim crosses, his shot-stopping, and his low error rate as key reasons for signing him.
The standout? Shot stopping.
He made 173 saves last season, the most across Europe’s top 10 leagues.
His 77.4% save rate ranked among the very best.
Using expected goals (xG), he was projected to concede 66.4 but actually let in only 48—preventing 18.4 goals, second best in Europe.
Of course, data only tells part of the story—so let’s dig into how he actually plays.
🧤 1v1 Situations
Lammens approaches one-on-ones with intelligence:
In long 1v1s, he rushes forward quickly, narrows the angle, then holds his position to force the attacker’s decision.
He rarely dives in too early, avoiding easy penalties or being rounded for tap-ins.
Weakness: if the attacker shoots early, he can be exposed, leaving space either side of him.
In short 1v1s, he spreads wide, using his height, long reach, and reactions effectively. He doesn’t slide to smother but stands tall, often blocking shots with his legs and frame.
🚀 Positioning and Reaction Saves
Lammens often stands a few yards off his line, cutting angles and making long shots look routine. But there’s a trade-off: when shots come unexpectedly or through crowds, he sometimes has less reaction time.
That said, his quick reflexes remain one of his strongest assets.
✈️ Dealing with Crosses and Corners
United have been shaky on corners, so Lammens’ record on crosses caught attention. He led Europe in crosses stopped (13.2%).
But video shows the full picture:
Against open-play crosses, he’s aggressive and confident, using his 6’4” frame to claim balls others wouldn’t.
At corners, though, his eagerness sometimes backfires. He misjudges flight paths, comes out when he shouldn’t, and conceded 8 goals from 85 corners last season (9%).
That’s better than André Onana’s 17.2% but worse than Martinez, who only conceded 2 from 60. The Premier League’s physicality and set-piece routines will test him further.
⚽ Distribution and Footwork
Lammens is comfortable with both feet, passing short confidently to aid build-up.
With his right foot, he’s accurate playing across to the left flank.
With his left, he can recycle possession quickly, but his long passes are more clearances than precise balls.
Pressed high, he tends to go long into zones rather than picking out teammates—something that could invite turnovers in the Premier League.
Still, he shows well for the ball and remains calm under pressure, traits that reassure defenders.
🔎 Final Verdict
On paper, Lammens looks like an elite shot-stopper with a commanding presence. His height, confidence, and proactive style give him all the raw tools to grow into a top Premier League goalkeeper.
But he’ll need to adapt quickly:
Physical battles at corners.
Smarter decision-making when leaving his line.
Dealing with higher pressing intensity than he saw in Belgium.
At just 23, time is on his side. If coached well, he has the potential to become Manchester United’s long-term No.1.
