Club scout: Man Utd have secured themselves a player who can be ‘one of the world’s best’

Manchester United goalkeeping scout Tony Coton has hailed Senne Lammens as a future global elite, revealing he has tracked the Belgian since the keeper was 17 and personally championed the move that brought him to Old Trafford last summer.

While senior figures at the club weighed up a swoop for then 32-year-old Aston Villa veteran Emiliano Martínez as competition for André Onana, Coton produced a detailed dossier compiled over six years and urged INEOS to pivot toward the 23-year-old Club Brugge graduate. United broke off negotiations with Martínez after agreeing personal terms and instead secured Lammens for a fraction of the cost.

“I saw somebody that loved to protect his goal, defend his goal,” Coton told club media. “It hurt him when a goal went in—it meant something because he conceded. He wasn’t happy.”

The emotional investment has translated into instant impact. In 25 senior appearances for United, Lammens has been on the losing side only three times and has recorded five clean sheets. With seven league fixtures remaining, the keeper is determined to improve both numbers and convince national-team boss Rudi Garcia he deserves a seat on the plane to the World Cup, even as backup to Thibaut Courtois.

Lammens’ club form earned a first Belgium cap in November during a 7-0 rout of Liechtenstein, and he doubled his tally on 28 March in a 5-2 friendly win over the United States. Coton believes the ceiling is even higher.

“If Senne keeps working hard, as he has been doing, he can be one of the world’s best,” the chief scout said.

United’s faith in youth over experience has already reaped early dividends, and the club will hope Lammens’ trajectory continues skyward as they chase a strong end-of-season finish.