Jamie Carragher ‘surprised’ by Man Utd decision on transfer deadline day

Jamie Carragher says he is ‘surprised’ that Manchester United signed Senne Lammens rather than Emiliano Martinez on transfer deadline day.

United bosses found themselves under intense pressure to find a solution between the sticks after an inauspicious start to the season for Altay Bayindir, who has taken over the reins from Andre Onana as Ruben Amorim’s number one this term.

Bayindir has already been guilty of mistakes leading to goals against both Arsenal and Burnley and the Turkey international has looked especially vulnerable when defending set-pieces throughout United’s three opening games.

As the clock ticked down on the summer transfer window, the Red Devils whittled their shortlist down to two names for the position: Royal Antwerp prospect Lammens and Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning shot-stopper Martinez.

Lammens and Martinez had both agreed personal terms with United as the transfer deadline came into view, with the two ‘keepers desperate to secure a dream switch to Old Trafford.

But according to the BBC, United’s comprehensive data research on Lammens saw them plump for the 23-year-old Belgian, who joined the club for an initial fee of £18.1million.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, suggested Jadon Sancho’s refusal to sign for Villa on a permanent basis was a factor in Martinez being denied a switch to the Theatre of Dreams.

Giving his thoughts on the situation, ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher admitted he was somewhat taken aback that Lammens was the man to eventually join United.

‘I was expecting Emi Martinez to come in yesterday for Manchester United, just on the back of Unai Emery’s interview before the game against Crystal Palace on Sunday night.

‘So I am surprised that hasn’t happened.

‘The Belgian lad [Lammens] is obviously a young goalkeeper with great potential and it just remains to be seen how long it will be before he goes into the team.

‘I would imagine that would be pretty quickly given the form of the other two goalkeepers at Manchester United.

‘But he’s a young goalkeeper and, like we said when Manchester United brought in a young striker in Benjamin Sesko at the other end of the pitch, they will need time, that’s just the nature of the beast, certainly as a goalkeeper as well.

‘I think the thing with the manager now is how quickly he puts this young lad in and I would imagine it would be pretty quickly.’

After putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with United, Lammens said he was ‘extremely proud’ to be making the step up after an ‘amazing journey’ with Royal Antwerp.

‘I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United. It is a real dream come true,’ Lammens told the club’s official website.

‘The past few years have been an amazing journey. It’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special. 

‘You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, and I know that I can make a real impact at the club in the coming years.

‘I cannot wait to get to know my team-mates and begin working with Ruben and the coaching staff.

‘This is the perfect place to keep developing, grow together with this exciting team and achieve my career objectives.’

United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, reassured supporters that the club were bringing in a player with ‘great potential’.

He said: ‘Senne is an excellent young goalkeeper with great potential.

‘We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United after significant interest from a number of clubs.’

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