Lammens shines on United debut as defence steadies ahead of Anfield

Senne Lammens delivered a confident debut for Manchester United, keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 Premier League win over Sunderland before the international break and providing an immediate lift to a defence that had been unsettled this season. The 23 year old Belgian, signed from Royal Antwerp in September, has taken the goalkeeper position after a summer that saw Andre Onana loaned to Trabzonspor following a string of inconsistent displays, and Altay Bayindir briefly deputise in preseason.

Former United defender Wes Brown said Lammens "gave a very confident display, and I think that gives encouragement to the rest of the team," attributing greater defensive stability and renewed morale to the new signing. Managers and supporters want more consistency from a squad that has produced mixed results in recent weeks, and Lammens' arrival has raised expectations that the defensive unit can settle.

United manager Ruben Amorim chose Lammens as his starting option after conceding concerns about previous keepers' form. Lammens, who reportedly cost around 18.2 million pounds, produced several important saves against Sunderland and was credited with organising his back line, helping...