- Manchester United’s keeper has impressed this season
- Tony Cotton says he could be world-class
- Fourth-best goalkeeper in the Premier League in one stat
Manchester United goalkeeping scout Tony Cotton believes Senne Lammens has the makings of a world-class goalkeeper. The Belgian has made a remarkable start to life at Old Trafford this season.
Coton spoke to the club’s media team about Lammens, who played an important role in the signing. He said:
“He’s got all the too. And he’s got the mental capacity to cope with it, as we have seen. I don’t want to compare him to anyone; he is Senne Lammens, and he is himself.”
Coton added:
“And if he keeps working as hard as he is doing, and we get those little things tidied up, he can be one of the world’s best, I’m sure he can.“
Lammens’ Impact
“He makes me feel safe,” a quote from The Athletic journalist Carl Anka on Lammens. That sense of security now resonates across United’s back line. Since Lammens stepped in, the defence has looked calmer, more assured, more cohesive.
Earlier in the season, Altay Bayindir conceded 11 goals across an error-strewn opening six matches as United slipped to 14th. But with Lammens in goal, the defensive unit has rediscovered a degree of stability.
Lammens has conceded 32 goals in 25 matches, yet he has instilled trust in those ahead of him. He has prevented 3.1 goals in the league this season, placing him behind only Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, and Emiliano Martinez—a mark of both his reflexes and his growing authority.
The 23-year-old has not transformed United overnight; instead, he has simply brought a much-needed sense of security to the back line.
Lammens’ performances have not only kept Bayindir out of the squad, but also forced Jason Wilcox to reconsider the Turkish keeper’s future entirely.
Not only has he stopped the Turkish shot-stopper from getting a sniff in, but his signing has paved the way for former number one Andre Onana to head to Turkey, as he joined Trabzonspor on loan.
Who is Tony Coton
Coton, a former goalkeeper himself who spent most of his career at Watford and Manchester City, has spent numerous years at United. Originally a goalkeeping coach between 1997 and 2008, the Englishman had to step down due to suffering a knee injury.
Over the next 12 years, he sharpened his eye across multiple roles: an agent, a chief scout, a goalkeeping scout, and head of domestic scouting. He worked for numerous elite English sides, including Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, Aston Villa, and Sunderland.
In 2020–12 years after departing—he rejoined Manchester United as chief goalkeeping scout. The 64-year-old was apparently “relentless” in his pursuit to sign Lammens.
“United gave him the best feeling,” Lammens’ brother said. “Partly because Tony Coton had been following him for almost a year and was very convinced of his qualities.”
Who will take number two?
A debate still surrounds who will step in as Lammens’ understudy. While Onana or Bayindir could remain, their hefty wages—£120,000 and £35,000, respectively—would complicate any potential exits.
The more likely option, however, is for United to turn to loanee Radek Vitek to fill the role, with Tom Heaton providing cover as the third choice.
However, that route carries risk. Vitek has already made clear he wants first-team football next season, which may force United to retain one of their Turkish keepers to ensure adequate depth should Lammens suffer an injury.
