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·19 July 2026

Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton believes that Senne Lammens will emerge as a stronger player following his difficult World Cup experience with Belgium.

Lammens was involved in a costly mistake during Belgium’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat against Spain, when he failed to hold on to Pau Cubarsi’s 25-yard shot, allowing Mikel Merino to score the decisive goal in the 88th minute.

The 24-year-old came off the bench to replace an injured Thibaut Courtois, marking his only appearance in the tournament. Despite the disappointment, Heaton is convinced that Lammens, who has secured the No. 1 spot at Manchester United, will recover positively from the incident.

“It was obviously a tough moment for him, but that’s part of being a goalkeeper,” Heaton said after United’s 1-0 pre-season defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki. “Once you pull on the gloves and step between the posts, you have to be ready for such challenges. He certainly is, and I believe he’ll come back stronger.”

Heaton praised Lammens’ temperament, adding, “His personality is outstanding for a goalkeeper, so there’s no concern there. It’s disappointing for him, of course, but I genuinely think this experience will help him in the long run.”

Goalkeepers are fully aware that any mistake can lead to goals and change the course of a match. Heaton is confident Lammens has the mental strength to handle such pressure at the top level.

“I’ve seen that resilience in him since he joined Manchester United,” Heaton continued. “I don’t think he’ll approach the next game with fear or anxiety about what could go wrong. It’s about focusing on what you want to achieve and being prepared to deal with setbacks if they come.”

Heaton recently signed a new one-year contract and will remain United’s third-choice goalkeeper following the arrival of Karl Darlow, with Altay Bayindir expected to depart.

Following Michael Carrick’s successful campaign that saw United secure third place and Champions League qualification — earning him the permanent managerial role — the team is determined to build on that momentum in the upcoming season.

“It feels like we’ve got some momentum,” Heaton said. “Pre-season has been a bit unusual with World Cup players returning to the squad gradually, but it’s just about maintaining that rhythm and ensuring everyone gets up to speed quickly.”

Heaton played the opening 45 minutes in Helsinki and got an up-close look at recent signing Andrey Santos, who made his first appearance in United colours.

“I thought he did really well,” Heaton remarked. “He’s been excellent in training this week — very composed in receiving the ball, understanding play, and adapting to that midfield ‘six’ role where you read the game, anticipate movements, and position yourself to play forward when possible.”

“I’ve been very impressed with him. He’s sharp, especially at this early stage when everyone’s still finding their feet. That’s encouraging — long may it continue.”