Paul Scholes questioned Senne Lammens’ readiness to be Manchester United’s long-term goalkeeper, citing the club’s struggles in the Premier League and comparing the Belgian to past greats like Peter Schmeichel. Lammens, signed for £18.1million in 2025, has conceded seven goals in four matches this season.
Paul Scholes, a former Manchester United midfielder, has cast doubt on Senne Lammens’ ability to be the club’s long-term goalkeeper, arguing that the Premier League has never been won without a “top-class” shot-stopper. Manchester United’s poor start to the season, with four points from four league matches, was highlighted by a disheartening 0-1 defeat to Manchester City in the derby on Sunday, where Lammens was beaten once. This loss underscored the team’s struggles, as they have only managed one win in their opening four league games, losing to Hull City and Manchester City, while drawing 2-2 at Everton.
The jury’s still out
Scholes’ Doubts and Historical Comparisons
Scholes voiced his concerns on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, stating, “What team have you seen win the Premier League without a top-class goalkeeper? Lammens might be that; I don’t know; I think the jury’s probably still out on that, and then you build from the back four, like Arsenal. It’s the way Arsenal started three or four years ago.” This sentiment echoed comments from former coach Rene Meulensteen, who argued that United should have signed Unai Simon from Athletic Bilbao instead of Lammens. Scholes also referenced Liverpool’s Alisson, Arsenal’s David Raya, and Manchester United’s historical greats like Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar, emphasizing the importance of a world-class goalkeeper.
The former United star also suggested that manager Michael Carrick might need to be patient with Lammens, saying, You start from the back, of course you do. Whether Michael’s (Carrick) just got to be patient and wait for that, I don’t know.
This aligns with Manchester United’s broader challenges, as the club returned to the Champions League this season under Carrick. Carrick’s side has struggled to replicate last season’s form, with new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans joining the squad, while Carlos Baleba remains unavailable due to injury. The club’s decision to continue investing heavily in midfield has raised questions about the role of academy product Kobbie Mainoo, a 21-year-old midfielder who has yet to secure a regular spot in the team despite his composure and press-resistant qualities. Mainoo also faced plenty of scrutiny last season after Ruben Amorim opted not to give him a regular role in the team, leading to the infamous Free Kobbie Mainoo
T-shirt worn by the midfielder’s brother.
Paul Scholes says ‘jury's still out’ on Old Trafford
Lammens’ Performance and Transfer Background
The Belgian’s arrival at Old Trafford followed the departures of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, with United initially targeting Emiliano Martinez before opting for Lammens. Lammens, who joined the club in the summer of 2025 for £18.1million, expressed his pride in the move, stating, “I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United. “It is a real dream come true. The past few years have been an amazing journey, it’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special.
Despite his improvement over previous goalkeepers, fans are questioning whether he can become world-class. The debate highlights the pressure on Lammens to prove himself as United aims to reclaim its place at the top of English football.””
Paul Scholes insists 'jury's still out' on Manchester United
Fan and Expert Reactions
Fans and analysts have been divided over Lammens’ future. While some acknowledge his improvement over previous goalkeepers, others argue that his inconsistencies undermine the team’s defensive structure.
As the season progresses, the question of whether Lammens can evolve into a “top-class” goalkeeper will remain central to Manchester United’s success. With Scholes and other critics watching closely, the Belgian’s performances in the coming months could determine his future at Old Trafford.