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Rio Ferdinand hails Manchester United newboy who looked at home in Anfield win

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 5:34 PM ET

Rio Ferdinand hails Manchester United star Senne Lammens

There’s a growing sense of calm around Manchester United again. That calm had been missing from their dressing room for a long time. The supporters feel it, and even the players are moving with greater belief.

It’s rare for a goalkeeper to reshape the mood of a side so quickly, but Senne Lammens has done exactly that. The Belgian has started in only two matches. Yet he makes his presence felt in every move. The 23-year-old’s sharp reflexes and calm passing traits change the tone of United’s defence. What stands out even more is how quickly he has bonded with the team.

Former Manchester United defender and pundit Rio Ferdinand noticed that connection right away. Speaking on his podcast, the United great said a dependable goalkeeper gives defenders confidence. He explained that as a defender, he played his best football when he didn’t have to look back to check what the keeper might do.

When Ferdinand saw how the current squad celebrated with Lammens after the Anfield win, he recognised that same trust. He said that the unity grew fast, even after only two matches. The former captain admired the natural togetherness, not staged or forced, that followed the victory. The celebrations showed real emotion. They proved that the group now believes in itself again. We reported earlier that Lammens hopes Anfield’s win will spark Manchester United’s momentum.

“Talk about him… What I would say is, again, when I look back at when I played, when did I feel my best? When I didn’t have to look behind me and worry about what the keeper might do or where he might be.”

“You see the way the lads celebrated [with Lammens], it’s only his second game by the way. It’d almost been like he’d been there a couple of years, it was like, ‘this is what we do’.”

“It was so nice to see that togetherness and the celebrations are key for me, a marker, it can be over the top and forced but there was an aggression, a ‘let’s go’ and I hope that’s what we’re going to see…”

Quote via: Manchester Evening News

A calm presence restoring Manchester United’s balance

The club finally signed Lammens on Deadline Day of the summer transfer window to fix an area of the pitch where they have faced a lot of issues in the recent past. The goalkeepers have been inconsistent for United, starting from Andre Onana to Altay Bayindir. Hence, they needed a player who could provide solidity in that area. United decided to take a bold step by choosing the young Belgian over signing the established Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.

Lammens has displayed a strong shot-stopping ability, a cool temperament, and a good record in penalties before arriving at the Premier League. The Belgian is now displaying that promise on the pitch for the Red Devils. He kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Sunderland, and then followed it with a 2–1 triumph at Anfield. Lammens also explained how he aided Manchester United in getting the better of Liverpool.

It’s still early, but his impact on the United squad feels clear and steady. The defenders are playing with more calmness, and the fans are showing more confidence. Coach Ruben Amorim is finally celebrating back-to-back league wins. Lammens has brought United something they lacked for years, and that’s calmness at the back.

This story isn’t about numbers; it’s about belief. A young keeper walked into Old Trafford under pressure and turned the noise into silent confidence. That’s why Ferdinand’s words carry weight. They reflect what everyone at the club is feeling now. If Lammens keeps performing like this, he will become more than an important figure; he will be the heart of United’s revival.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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