Have Man Utd signed another flop?! Leeds & Sunderland backed away from Senne Lammens amid concerns over Premier League suitability

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Manchester United have unveiled Senne Lammens as their newest recruit in a deal worth up to £21.7 million ($29m), but reports have revealed that Leeds and Sunderland had backed away from him over concerns of his suitability in the Premier League. United could have opted for proven Premier League quality in Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning Emi Martinez, yet the Old Trafford hierarchy instead banked on the promise of a 23-year-old.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Lammens was hardly a mystery man to English clubs. Several sides monitored him, but scouts were not entirely convinced he could handle the relentless demands of the Premier League. The price tag, hefty by any measure, only deepened their reluctance. The Daily Mail claim that those in Belgium believe Sunderland and Leeds both explored a possible move. But once they learned the fee involved, both quickly withdrew, deciding the risk outweighed the potential reward.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Other top-flight scouts raised familiar concerns: the Premier League is a brutal proving ground for goalkeepers. It requires agility, resilience under pressure, and the mental strength to recover instantly from mistakes in unforgiving atmospheres. Lammens’ raw potential was evident, but doubts lingered about throwing him straight into the furnace of England’s top division. Those who passed on him weren’t necessarily questioning his future, only whether he was ready now. United, though, chose to see him as a gamble worth taking.

DID YOU KNOW?

The signing inevitably raises questions about the futures of United’s current keepers. Andre Onana’s struggles have been well-documented, while Altay Bayindir has also looked shaky since stepping in. For now, the club insists neither man is on the verge of an exit. But the market is still open in Turkiye and Saudi Arabia until mid-September, meaning there remains a slim chance of movement.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

If no departures materialise, United could face an unusual scenario, carrying four senior goalkeepers into the campaign. Lammens joins Onana, Bayindir, and experienced veteran Tom Heaton in Ruben Amorim’s squad.