Senne Lammens is not deflecting. Manchester United’s 24-year-old goalkeeper has conceded that the past fortnight at Old Trafford has taken a toll, speaking publicly for the first time since former club greats Roy Keane and Ashley Young went at his form on Sky Sports.

“I avoid everything that is said and written as much as possible, but that’s not always possible because of the situation at Manchester United,” Lammens told Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad. “It’s been a difficult few weeks, I’m not gonna lie.”

Keane’s verdict after United’s chaotic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on 8 November was blunt. The former United captain told Sky Sports the Belgian “has got to do better” and said the second goal was a standard save he should have made. Young, who spent years at Old Trafford before his later move to Aston Villa, went further, telling the same broadcaster that Lammens “hasn’t looked the same” since his mistake at the 2026 World Cup.

The backdrop is heavy. Michael Carrick was sacked on 12 November after United’s worst Premier League start on record, with the club in the relegation zone after 10 matches. A day later, Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal running until the summer of 2029. United paid around £7.5m to release him from his role in charge of the United States men’s national team, with Pochettino officially taking charge from 18 November.

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Belgium 2-1 Turkey: six saves and a free-kick concession

Away from the storm, Lammens made his case on international duty. He pulled off six saves as Belgium beat Turkey 2-1 in a UEFA Nations League tie on 12 November, the only concession a free kick from Arda Güler that few goalkeepers in world football could have stopped. Belgium manager Mark van Bommel had kept Lammens in the side despite public calls from former national team goalkeeper Silvio Proto to promote Chelsea’s Mike Penders.

The United picture is less flattering. Lammens, signed from Royal Antwerp on 1 September 2025 for a reported £18.2m, has still not kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford this season.

Anfield awaits for the Argentine’s opening match

Pochettino inherits the goalkeeper’s crisis with the rest of the job. His first match in the dugout is the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday 22 November.

Sources: – [Belgium appoint their new manager](https://www.goal.com/en/news/belgium-name-their-new-manager/bltd02f9e26372db468) – [van Bommel appointed Belgium manager](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/official-van-bommel-appointed-belgium-123900327.html) – [Mauricio Pochettino confirmed as new Manchester United manager](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/1113/1599098-pochettino-set-to-join-united-on-two-and-a-half-year-deal/) – [Man United Poaches Pochettino From U.S. Soccer for $10M](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/man-united-poaches-pochettino-u-135829416.html) – [Senne Lammens: Manchester United complete £18.2m deal](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/13423132/senne-lammens-manchester-united-complete-18-2m-deal-for-royal-antwerp-goalkeeper)

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