Neville Hails Lammens After Goalkeeper Thrives Under Carrick's Steadying Hand

Manchester United's resurgence under Michael Carrick has plenty of moving parts, but one man catching the eye is the goalkeeper who looked decidedly uncomfortable when Ruben Amorim held the reins.

Senne Lammens has quietly gone about his business as the Red Devils have put together a tidy run—five wins and a draw from their opening five matches under Carrick, who took over in January. That sequence has lifted United into fourth spot, just three points adrift of Aston Villa in third and firmly in the conversation about next season's Champions League football.

The Belgian shot-stopper, who arrived from Royal Antwerp last summer for roughly £18m, has been steady throughout this upturn in fortunes. Gary Neville reckons the transformation is worth noting, particularly given how the clouds seemed to gather overhead during Amorim's brief spell in charge.

Speaking after United's win over Everton on Monday, Neville was full of praise for Lammens on his Sky Sports podcast. "The goalkeeper was my man of the match," he said. "Not because he was pulling off spectacular saves left and right, but because everything he touched he did with real composure."

The former United captain pointed to several moments that caught his attention. A tip over the bar here, a routine catch there, and crucially, his handling when Everton peppered the box with ten corners. "He didn't keep every single one out, but he dealt with most of them," Neville explained. "Having a keeper who's calm, who just gets on with the job without rushing about like a headless chicken—that matters hugely when you're under the cosh like we were."

Neville acknowledged his own initial scepticism about the appointment. "When he arrived, I wondered why you'd back a young keeper with no Premier League pedigree at a club like this," he admitted. "It could have eaten him alive. But early as it is, he's shown the right temperament and the technical side looks sharp. He holds when he should, punches when he should, and even those punches are controlled. I've been genuinely impressed."

The shift in fortunes has been marked. "Under Ruben, the clouds were definitely circling, yet Lammels was still doing okay," Neville noted. "Now that we're winning, he looks even better. Throw in the fact he's had to deal with a constantly changing defence during all this upheaval, and his efforts deserve real credit."

Edwin van der Sar, United's legendary former keeper, has also warmed to what he's seen. Speaking to Sky Bet, the Dutchman suggested Lammels possesses the makings of a long-term fixture at Old Trafford. "He's adapting well," van der Sar said. "Seven or eight months in, he's clearly got the measure of the Premier League's physicality. He comes off his line with authority, makes the saves that matter, and doesn't get caught chasing shadows. I'm not here every day, but from what I see, he's got the complete package to be here for years to come."