MU was right with Martinez

MU chose Lammens, ignoring Martinez this summer.

The decision is a clear reflection of “Project 150” – a plan to win the Premier League by 2028, the 150th anniversary of the club’s founding (formerly Newton Heath). General manager Omar Berrada first mentioned the target in September 2024 and reiterated it in June 2025: “Why not aim for it?”

Choosing between present and future

Just 12 hours before the transfer window closed, Man Utd asked Lammens to fly to Manchester on a private jet, instead of calling Martínez - the Argentine goalkeeper who had been waiting for this deal since the end of last season. In theory, Martinez was the safer choice: a World Cup winner, Premier League experience, and a strong personality capable of handling the pressure.

However, last season's statistics show that he made 6 direct errors leading to shots from opponents, more than Andre Onana (4). Meanwhile, Lammens, only 23 years old, has only 93 professional matches, of which 52 are in the Belgian National Championship, 1 appearance in the Champions League (lost 0-2 to Porto, November 2023) and has not made an official match for the Belgian national team. Obviously, the contrast in experience is huge.

The difference comes down to how Man Utd analyse data, an area co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe places particular emphasis on. According to internal assessments, Lammens excels in parameters such as: catching high balls, blocking shots, preventing goals from rebounds, and limiting mistakes.

He had the most saves in Europe's top 10 leagues last season (173), with a save percentage of 80%.
Second in Europe for goals prevented (vs. expected).
13.2% high ball clearance rate - highest in Europe in the past year.
Has the most “progressive” passes of any goalkeeper under 23 in Europe.

Those statistics make Lammens a name worth investing in. When the 2028 milestone of “Project 150” is reached, Lammens will be 26 years old - entering the prime of his career. Martinez will be 35 years old.

Martinez is 33 years old and does not fit into MU's plans.

The United board also faced a similar choice in attack: Ollie Watkins (Villa) - a striker who has made a name for himself, or Benjamin Sesko - a young prospect. They chose Sesko. The difference is that Manchester United already had two "ready to fight" recruits in the front line (Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo). Therefore, they could take a risk with Sesko and Lammens - "investments for the future".

Risks and challenges

Of course, the stakes are high. United were knocked out of the League Cup early, so Lammens will not have any low-pressure games to get used to. His potential debut could be the Manchester derby on 14 September – not a pleasant scenario for an inexperienced goalkeeper.

In addition, the question of who will be coach Ruben Amorim's number one goalkeeper remains open. Onana and Bayindir have both made mistakes, and the club may look to offload one of them, with the markets still open in Turkey, Greece, Saudi Arabia or Switzerland.

In addition to the data, Lammens is backed by authoritative testimonials: Thibaut Courtois and Simon Mignolet both speak highly of their young compatriot. “Reflexes are his greatest quality,” says reporter Axel Brisart (HLN.BE). “He is proactive, likes to come out for the ball and has the ability to pass the ball to increase the tempo of the game.”

Lammens is 1.93 meters tall, has an ideal physique and a style that is mainly reflex blocking.

Lammens is 1.93m tall, has an ideal physique and his style is mainly reflex-based. He has the ability to move quickly to predict the direction of shots, often moving up to close the angle in one-on-one situations. This approach helps to limit the danger, but is easily exploited by surprise shots.

Another strength is his initiative in the air. However, that eagerness sometimes leads Lammens to rush out in difficult situations, creating chaos in the penalty area. This is an aspect that needs improvement to adapt to the intensity and pressure of the Premier League.

Lammens's footwork has yet to be truly tested, as opponents in the Belgian league do not press as hard as the Premier League. He often opts for long passes forward or safe passes, rather than daring short balls.

Manchester United chose a harder, riskier path: instead of a veteran goalkeeper like Emiliano Martínez, they bet on a young Senne Lammens with impressive data and long-term development potential.

It is a strategic decision – not just for the 2025/26 season, but also for the grand goal of Project 150. The question is whether Old Trafford will be patient enough to wait for a goalkeeper to mature, or risk them paying the price immediately in the rigours of the Premier League.

Source: https://znews.vn/mu-da-dung-voi-martinez-post1581953.html