Manchester United
Man Utd sign Senne Lammens to reinforce goalkeeping options
Manchester United sign Senne Lammens on permanent deal as they seek to shore up goalkeeping options.
Manchester United completed a permanent signing of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens on deadline day as the club looks to reinforce its goalkeeping ranks.
Since moving to Antwerp two years ago, Lammens made 62 senior appearances for the club, conceding 86 goals while keeping 12 clean sheets. He has already been called up to the Belgian national team but is yet to make his senior debut.
On his arrival, Lammens said: “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. You can feel the positive atmosphere that is being created here, and I know that I can make a real impact at the club in the coming years. I cannot wait to get to know my team-mates and begin working with Ruben and the coaching staff. This is the perfect place to keep developing, grow together with this exciting team and achieve my career objectives.”
The move comes amid ongoing debate over United’s No.1 position. David de Gea, a club legend, left after former manager Erik ten Hag signed André Onana from Ajax in 2023. The Cameroonian keeper, while praised for his quality with the ball at his feet, has been heavily criticised for his errors between the posts. A blunder at Grimsby Town in last week’s Carabao Cup second round exit was a recent example.
United’s plans this summer reportedly did not include changing goalkeepers unless Onana departed, but links to Gianluigi Donnarumma, Emiliano Martínez and Lammens during the window signalled a desire to strengthen the position. Altay Bayındır, Onana’s backup last season, has started all three Premier League games to begin the new campaign. Even though Onana returned to fitness for the start of the season, question marks were raised when he was not selected for the opening fixture at home to Arsenal. A Bayındır error from a corner led to the only goal on the day and again underlined the need to add options.
Lammens joins Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško among United’s summer arrivals.
Manchester United
Onana Accepts Loan Move to Trabzonspor as Transfer Window Looms
André Onana has agreed to a season-long loan to Trabzonspor and will travel to Türkiye. to stay fit.
André Onana has agreed to join Trabzonspor on loan for the remainder of the campaign, sources say. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Cameroon international, who had been reluctant to leave Manchester United, accepted the Turkish side’s proposal and is preparing to travel to Türkiye to finalise a season-long loan.
The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 12, but Trabzonspor are aiming to complete the move quickly and hope to welcome Onana straight into their starting line two days after the transfer deadline. That timeline underpins the club’s desire to bring him in and use him immediately.
At Old Trafford Onana had been determined to fight for his future, but the prospect of becoming the third-choice option under Ruben Amorim changed that calculation. Lammens is expected to become the new starter, while usual reserve Altay Bayındır had started the first three games of the season ahead of Onana.
A year on loan with Trabzonspor would allow the 29-year-old to remain match fit and keep himself in the shop window ahead of a potential permanent departure from United next summer. Should Trabzonspor wish to make the deal permanent, they would need to reach a fresh agreement with United over the goalkeeper, whose contract at Old Trafford still has three years left to run and includes a 12-month extension clause.
The move, if completed, offers Onana immediate playing opportunities while leaving the longer-term situation dependent on negotiations between the Turkish club and Manchester United. For now the focus is on finalising the paperwork and integrating Onana into Trabzonspor’s squad as soon as the loan is confirmed.
Manchester United
Onana poised to decide after Manchester United approve Trabzonspor loan
Man Utd accept Trabzonspor loan bid for Onana; player deciding as Turkish window runs until Sept 12.
Manchester United have accepted a season-long loan proposal from Trabzonspor for goalkeeper André Onana, with the move subject to the player’s approval, according to The Athletic.
United’s decision follows changes in their goalkeeping hierarchy. Altay Bayındır has been the preferred starter but faces a potential demotion after the summer signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. With Onana possibly slipping to third choice under Amorim, the club have agreed to the Turkish side’s loan approach.
The terms agreed between the clubs are straightforward. United will send Onana to Türkiye without a loan fee, and Trabzonspor would not have any purchase clause to make the move permanent next summer. The Red Devils are understood to be seeking relief of Onana’s salary, while a season-long loan would allow the goalkeeper to retain as much of his transfer value as possible ahead of a potential departure in the summer of 2026.
Onana, 29, is reported to be open to the transfer and is awaiting discussions on the exact terms. Privately, he is believed to have backed himself to reclaim United’s starting spot even after the arrival of Lammens, but an awareness of the competition he faces has seen the Cameroon international “give serious thought” to joining Trabzonspor.
The timing is important. The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 12, yet Trabzonspor want to conclude the deal promptly so they can nominate Onana in their starting lineup for the fixture scheduled two days after the window closes. United’s acceptance of the bid leaves the final decision in the hands of the goalkeeper and his representatives.
Analytics & Stats
Owen hits back on X with statistical rebuttal to Rooney comparison
Owen furiously responded on X, defending his teenage goalscoring record and listing statistics post.
Michael Owen has publicly rejected a social media comparison between himself and Wayne Rooney, posting a detailed numerical response on X. The former striker defended his early career record and challenged any suggestion that Rooney was the superior youngster.
Owen set out specific figures in the comment thread, writing: “At 17, I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored six. At 18, I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming fourth in the Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored nine,” Owen replied on X. “In our opening seven seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals vs. 80). In which time I became the second youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever.
At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d’Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn’t outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became…
“Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he’ll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please……”
The exchange underlines two clear threads from the draft: Owen emphasised his precocious goalscoring output, and he acknowledged that injuries limited his later career while Rooney maintained consistency. The draft notes Owen remains the last English player to win the Ballon d’Or, having scooped the prize in 2001. It also contrasts career Premier League totals: Owen finished with 150 strikes in 326 matches, while Rooney produced 208 goals but required 491 games to reach that number.
The debate revolves around raw early numbers and subsequent career trajectories. Owen used the platform to assert the superiority of his teenage output, while the broader picture includes Rooney’s greater longevity and a playing style described in the draft as likely to resonate with a larger percentage of English supporters.
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