Ruben Amorim expects Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens to become the best in the world within the next three years.
Lammens joined United from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day in a deal worth £18million in a final attempt to solve the crisis in goal that has already threatened to derail their season.
The Belgian shot stopper remained on the bench for the three games that followed his arrival but finally made his debut against Sunderland on Sunday, turning in assured display as United secured their first clean sheet of the season.
The 23-year-old made a smart stop to deny Granit Xhaka from range in the first-half and was called into action late on to deny Chemsdine Talbi late on.
While he was hardly overworked, United fans couldn’t hide their relief as Lammens confidently came off his line to claim crosses, serenading him with a chant of ‘are you Schmeichel in disguise?’
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Altay Bayindir started in goal for United’s opening six matches of the Premier League but Lammens will surely now become the new long-term no1 with Amorim expecting big things from him.
The Sun report how the United boss holds his new shot stopper in extremely high regard, handling his introduction to the team with ‘an almost paternal care’.
The Portuguese head coach views Lammens as United’s answer to Thibaut Courtois, confident the younger Belgian will establish himself as the best in the world by 2028.
Real Madrid star Courtois is believed to be advising his young countryman to help him adapt to the demands of English football – and the demands that come with playing for such a big club at an early age.
United did weigh up a move for an experienced option in Emiliano Maritnez, agreeing personal terms with the Aston Villa star in the final days of the summer transfer window.
But United officials are more confident than ever then made the right call having been ‘blown away’ by what they have seen from their new arrival.
‘It’s important in the Premier League keeping clean sheets, you have chances to score and then to keep the clean sheet in the second half was so important,’ Amorim said after Saturday’s win at Sunderland.
‘He was solid, when we were under pressure, the option was Ben [Sesko] and we worked off that.
‘Buzzing for him, everyone was around him today, it can be tough making your first start we wat to be together and I felt that today so we keep moving forward.’