The reasons behind Manchester United’s decision to recruit Senne Lammens over Emiliano Martinez have been exposed, following the Belgian’s deadline-day transfer from Royal Antwerp. Following goalkeeping errors in three of the first four matches of the season, it was evident that Ruben Amorim’s team sorely needed a new goalkeeper, and as the window closed, there appeared to be only two options.
Lammens had been linked with United throughout the summer, but with only 24 hours remaining, Martinez appeared to be the leader after further negotiations with Aston Villa. Despite expressing his desire to transfer, the Argentine remained at Villa Park as the club went with the less experienced 23-year-old. The rationale for the decision not to sign the Premier League-proven, two-time Yashin Trophy winner has now been disclosed.
Why United chose Lammens over Martinez.
According to the BBC, Lammens’ profile as a younger goalkeeper made the decision to complete the Martinez transfer very simple. According to insiders, while the club’s administration, including chief executive Omar Berrada, recognizes the need for immediate adjustments, they remain focused on ‘Project 150.’
United hope to win Premier League championships again by 2028, which corresponds with the club’s 150th anniversary, as announced in 2024. While Martinez would be 35 and probably on the decline at that point, Lammens might be entering his prime if he settles as well as expected in the Premier League, making him a better first-choice goalkeeper in 2028.
A similar thought process was reportedly followed when United expressed interest in another Aston Villa player. Ollie Watkins is 29 years old. Instead, the Red Devils brought in 22-year-old Benjamin Sesko to lead the assault.
It is also claimed that United’s data analysis shows that Lammens has excelled in key areas such as crosses claimed, preventing goals from rebounds, and progressive passes, in which he outperformed any other goalkeeper under the age of 23.
According to the Mirror, the cost of bringing the World Cup winner to Manchester was also a prohibitive barrier. Martinez is thought to have wanted a weekly salary of £200,000, making him one of the highest paid. Meanwhile, Lammens’ transfer fee was believed to have been doubled. And, with United mindful of the PSR implications, the fact that they were so interested in the less expensive option made the decision easy.
While the Theatre of Dreams respects Martinez, who they see as a Premier League-proven goalkeeper, they also acknowledge that he is not flawless by any stretch of the imagination. Analysts in the northwest are aware that he committed more errors that resulted in goals last season than Andre Onana. And, while he is thought to have the personality of a Manchester United goalkeeper, the other elements weighing against him were ultimately too much to persuade the club to choose him over the uncapped Belgian.
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