Meulensteen Questions Lammens' Credentials as Carrick Faces Goalkeeper Scrutiny

Senne Lammens' early promise at Manchester United faces scrutiny from an unlikely critic—Rene Meulensteen, the former right-hand man to Sir Alex Ferguson, has suggested the Belgian shot-stopper simply isn't quite there yet.

The 23-year-old arrived from Royal Antwerp for £18m on deadline day last summer and has become Michael Carrick's go-to between the sticks following Andre Onana's loan departure to Trabzonspor. Under the caretaker boss, Lammens has been a steady presence as United collected four victories and a draw across five matches.

While his performances have drawn approval—certainly an upgrade on what came before—Meulensteen isn't convinced the goalkeeper possesses the complete package required at such a heavyweight institution. Speaking to BetGoat, the former assistant pointed to deficiencies in personality, leadership, and certain technical aspects of his play.

"While Senne Lammels has done well, he's not yet at the level Manchester United needs in terms of personality, leadership, and certain aspects of his goalkeeping," Meulensteen explained. "I still think there are some weaknesses there. Furthermore, you're not in Europe at the moment, which presents another challenge altogether when you have to play in the Champions League against big teams."

Meulensteen drew a comparison to Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma, holding up the Italian as the standard-bearer for elite shot-stoppers. He referenced a crucial save Donnarumma made against Liverpool—a deflected effort that could have shifted the match—as the kind of decisive intervention that separates the truly exceptional from the merely competent.

"For me, every good, successful team that has won trophies had an outstanding goalkeeper, an absolute outstanding goalkeeper," he said. "You saw, for instance, the save that Gianluigi Donnarumma made on that deflected shot against Liverpool. Otherwise, Liverpool would have gone ahead again. That's the kind of save goalkeepers need to make. And I'm not entirely sure whether Lammens is there just yet."

The pundit then turned his attention to Sunderland's Robi Roefs, lavishing praise on the newly-promoted side's breakout campaign. Meulensteen acknowledged the Dutchman's impressive debut season in the top flight, though he cautioned against drawing direct parallels with the demands of playing for a club of United's stature.

"Robin Roefs has had a great first season in the Premier League," Meulensteen noted. "But playing for Sunderland is a completely different challenge than playing for Manchester United."

Meulensteen highlighted his familiarity with Roefs from his time in the Netherlands, where the goalkeeper came through at NEC Nijmegen before his move south. He credited the Black Cats' entire operation—from recruitment to management—for their remarkable turnaround, while emphasising the goalkeeper's crucial role in their defensive solidity.

"He is very good. I know him from Holland because he came through at NEC in Nijmegen, and he has done extremely well to step up the way he has with Sunderland," he continued. "Sunderland are having an unbelievably fantastic season. You have to give plaudits to Sunderland and everyone working in the background because their recruitment has been spot on, and they have the right manager to make them play in the right way.

"They are very hard to beat at home. So, they have done great, and Robin Roefs is a massive part of that. Everything starts with solidity at the back, the centre-backs know they have a goalkeeper behind them. He's a great guy as well, and has a great personality."

Yet Meulensteen stopped short of suggesting a move to Old Trafford would be straightforward, hinting that Roefs' impressive showing has already caught the attention of bigger fish.

"But who knows? It's not a surprise that clubs are looking at him, that's for sure."