While Patrick Dorgu’s thunderous volley grabbed the headlines, Manchester United’s 1–0 victory over Newcastle on Friday, December 26, 2025, was anchored by a truly "top-class" performance between the sticks. Senne Lammens, the 23-year-old Belgian, delivered arguably his best performance since joining the club, securing a vital clean sheet under immense second-half pressure.
Here is why Lammens was the unsung hero of the Boxing Day clash.
The Stats: A First Clean Sheet Since October
Lammens’ performance wasn't just about flashy saves; it was about the security he brought to a makeshift backline featuring debutant Ayden Heaven.
Saves Made: 4 (including 2 crucial stops in the final 10 minutes)
High Claims: 3 (relieving vital pressure during 7 minutes of stoppage time)
Clean Sheet: His first since his debut against Sunderland on October 4.
Pass Accuracy: 74% (A noticeable improvement in his ball distribution under Ruben Amorim’s new 4-2-3-1 system).
Three Moments of Magic
The Stretford End was on its feet multiple times as Lammens denied Eddie Howe’s side an equalizer:
The Near-Post Reflex (22’): Just minutes before Dorgu’s opener, Bruno Guimarães flicked a goalbound header toward the near post.
Lammens showed lightning-fast reactions to push it wide, a save that Ruben Amorim later described as "the moment that kept us in the match."
The Stoppage-Time Claim (90+3’): With Newcastle throwing everyone forward, Guimarães floated a dangerous diagonal ball into a crowded box.
Lammens came through a sea of bodies to catch the ball cleanly, a "superb" piece of goalkeeping that effectively killed the game.
The Joelinton Denials: In the closing stages, Lammens saved twice from Joelinton, demonstrating perfect positioning to gather low-driven efforts that were heading for the bottom corner.
The "Luck of the Woodwork"
Every great performance needs a bit of luck. In the 64th minute, Lewis Hall beat Lammens with a curling effort from 20 yards, only for the ball to rattle the underside of the bar and bounce out. While Lammens was beaten in that instance, his "calm and unfazed" presence throughout the rest of the game was cited by pundits as the reason United’s young defense didn't panic.
Ruben Amorim on Lammens: "We suffered together today, and Senne was a big part of that. To keep a clean sheet against a team that attacks like Newcastle, you need your keeper to be 100% focused for 95 minutes. He was."
The Verdict: Senne Lammens has often been compared to United legend Peter Schmeichel by the Belgian press, and last night he showed why. With the "Amorim era" still in its tactical infancy, having a reliable, confident presence in goal is the foundation United desperately needed.