Manchester United's young shot-stopper Senne Lamens has hit back at Paul Scholes, who expressed his uncertainty about whether the Belgian can be considered a top-class goalkeeper. The 24-year-old acknowledged the immense pressure at United but insists he tries to ignore outside assessments of his performances.
Lamens joined from Antwerp in the summer of 2025 for a fee of £18.1 million and quickly established himself as the first-choice keeper, ousting Altay Bayindir from the starting XI. His status was cemented after Ruben Amorim's departure and Michael Carrick's appointment.
In the previous season, the Belgian featured in 32 Premier League matches, keeping eight clean sheets. Owen Hargreaves even hailed him as United's best signing of the season.
However, following a narrow defeat to Manchester City, Scholes conveyed his reservations about Lamens:
Which team has ever won the Premier League without a top-class goalkeeper? Maybe Lamens will become one, I don't know. I think it’s still too early to make final judgements on him.
You need a first-class keeper. Liverpool had Alisson, City boast strong shot-stoppers, Arsenal have Raya. United have seen the likes of Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar. It all starts with reliability at the back.
Lamens took Scholes' comments in stride, remarking on the necessity for Manchester United players to build mental resilience:
I haven't changed as a person just because I play for Manchester United. You need to be mentally strong and confident when so many people voice their opinions. I can imagine it’s not easy for everyone to handle.
I enjoy playing in the Premier League. For me, the Premier League and the Nations League feel the same.
Belgium's national team manager, Mark van Bommel, also praised the goalkeeper's character and how quickly he has adjusted to life at Old Trafford:
Senne's strong point is that he always stays true to himself regardless of circumstances. That’s his character and quality.
Look at how quickly he adapted to Manchester United. The club is wealthier, and the stadium is much bigger than Antwerp's. Yet, he’s already building good chemistry with the defenders, which deserves recognition.
