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Manchester United’s narrow 1-0 triumph over Everton served as a powerful endorsement of the club’s recruitment strategy. The winning goal was a collective effort from the three summer arrivals – initiated by Matheus Cunha, set up by Bryan Mbeumo, and clinically finished by Benjamin Sesko. Yet, the player who truly stood out was the one ensuring that slender lead held firm – Senne Lammens, United’s standout signing of the past year and arguably their most inspired acquisition in years.

Lammens was tested relentlessly throughout the match, dealing with 10 corners – most of them aimed directly at him – and facing 35 crosses, from which he caught two and punched away four. He was also forced into four saves, producing a stunning flying stop to prevent Michael Keane’s strike from sneaking under the bar in the 82nd minute and denying Tyrique George deep into stoppage time.

The Belgian’s composure under relentless aerial pressure and a corner routine that teammate Kobbie Mainoo compared to WWE’s Royal Rumble was even more remarkable considering his shaky start – being closed down by Thierno Barry within seconds of kickoff and inadvertently kicking the ball straight at the striker.

His assured display highlighted the stark contrast with his predecessors, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, both of whom had been guilty of conceding directly from corners and often seemed unnerved by any cross into the box. Their tendency to compound one mistake with another had left fans exasperated.

When United signed Lammens from Royal Antwerp for an initial £18.2 million, few expected such consistency. That fee now looks like a bargain as his calmness under pressure has become a defining trait. To maintain that sense of control, Lammens keeps a journal – a habit shared with Winter Olympics athlete Eileen Gu.

“Before and after matches, I write down key words and some of my thoughts,” he told club media. “Otherwise, there’s too much going through your head. It helps me stay calm and focused in the moment, and not overreact to situations.

“I note trigger points – say we’re playing a pressing team, so I mentally prepare beforehand. That way, when the game comes, I’m not caught by surprise. It’s a big part of staying ready.”

His preparation was certainly tested at Goodison Park, where he faced an onslaught of crosses. Reflecting on the challenge in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Lammens admitted: “We knew set pieces would be tough. It’s one of my strengths, but today it was a bit over the top! I had to position myself behind the line just to come out. Everton’s defenders are massive and very physical.

“You can’t think too much about the players around you, otherwise you lose focus on the ball. My defenders help by creating the space I need to come out and punch it away. But it’s getting more and more difficult.”

Despite the chaos, Lammens exuded serenity – something that greatly impressed manager Michael Carrick. “For me, a goalkeeper should bring reliability and calm,” Carrick said. “You don’t want someone who adds to the chaos but someone who takes it away. Senne does exactly that.

“He’s quiet and understated, but there’s real steel within him. To step into such a big role and perform with that composure – it’s impressive. His calmness helps those in front of him enormously.”

Since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim and moved away from a back-three setup, Lammens has benefited from a settled defensive unit. Even without Lisandro Martinez due to injury, United’s backline has looked assured, recording three clean sheets in six matches under Carrick. Under Amorim, the team managed only two clean sheets in 20 games across all competitions.

Lammens’ presence has been pivotal. According to expected goals on target (XGoT) data, he has prevented more goals than any other Premier League goalkeeper since joining United – a testament to his shot-stopping efficiency.

Unsurprisingly, comparisons have been drawn with United legends. While Peter Schmeichel remains the club’s most iconic goalkeeper, Lammens’ temperament resembles that of Edwin van der Sar – another composed figure from the Low Countries. Speaking before the Everton match on the Overlap podcast, Van der Sar observed: “He clearly understands the physical demands of the Premier League. I see him confidently claiming crosses and making the right saves at the right times.”

After the game, Van der Sar congratulated the 23-year-old during a Sky Sports segment, praising his handling of Everton’s “horrible” corners and his impressive first year in England. The Dutchman, who joined United from Fulham for just £2 million in 2005, was 34 then but went on to win four Premier League titles and a Champions League before retiring at 40.

Unlike Van der Sar, who arrived with top-level experience at Ajax, Juventus, and the Netherlands national team, Lammens came with just one full season in Belgium’s top flight and no senior international caps. His leap to the Premier League was therefore seen as a gamble.

That sentiment was echoed by Schmeichel, who admitted he had never heard of Lammens and labelled the signing “hopeful.” Both he and Amorim had preferred the club to pursue Emi Martinez. However, chief goalkeeping scout Tony Coton and United’s recruitment team prioritised Lammens’ age profile and affordability, viewing him as a long-term investment.

Schmeichel warned at the time: “His stats are excellent, but that was in Belgium, not England. Recruitment based purely on numbers can be risky. Stats can’t show how a player reacts after a mistake or how he withstands the pressure of Manchester United – which is unlike anywhere else.”

Lammens has since disproved every doubt, showing that data-led recruitment can uncover real value. If he maintains this level of performance, he will go down as one of the best value-for-money signings in modern Premier League history.