With the £18.2 million deadline-day signing of Senne Lammens, Manchester United were convinced they had landed the next great thing in European football.
Head coach Ruben Amorim shares that belief. The Portuguese tactician sees the 23-year-old Belgian as a top goalkeeper with immense potential. In his eyes, Lammens is a Courtois 2.0, who he expects will become the pillar of United’s defence.
Yet despite his faith in Lammens, Amorim remains unconvinced by his team’s goalkeeping department.
He believes it still lacks the quality required at the highest level. And signing another top-class goalkeeper could push Lammens to reach his high ceiling.
Several goalkeepers have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
While many are established names, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Nick Pope among them, United have now been tipped to pursue another exciting young talent.
Bundesliga goalie raid
According to UK outlet TBR, Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu, 23, has emerged on United’s radar.
They quote transfer expert Graeme Bailey, who says:
“United are doing their due diligence on goalkeepers. Even if [Senne] Lammens comes in and does well, they still want and need another, as [André] Onana and [Altay] Bayindir won’t be hanging around in the long term.
“They’re well-versed on options, but I’m told Atubolu is one who has impressed United’s scouts this season. He’s emerging as one of the very best in the Bundesliga, and Freiburg expect to sell in 2026.
“United are just one of several Premier League clubs tracking his progress. I’m told Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton have all watched and been impressed.”
Atubolu: a man on the rise
Most United fans may not have heard of Atubolu, but many will be checking him out now, and like United’s scouts, they are likely to be blown away.
The German international is a ball-playing goalkeeper admired for his shot-stopping ability and composure under pressure.
He is emerging as a psychological and technical specialist in saving penalties; having kept out the last five he has faced, a record-breaking feat in Bundesliga history.
Atubolu is also excellent with the ball at his feet, capable of pinging long passes or building from the back when required.
The fact that top European clubs are circling suggests he could be the real deal.
Perfect Lammens competition
With Altay Bayindir already conceding 11 league goals in just six games, he is unlikely to provide the level of competition needed to push Lammens. Atubolu could.
Together, he and Lammens could reprise the David de Gea–Sergio Romero dynamic that once made United’s goalkeeping department the envy of Europe.
Featured image Daniela Porcelli via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
