Tom Heaton is backing Manchester United team-mate Senne Lammens to emerge stronger from a World Cup error that saw Belgium dumped out by Spain. The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who had been Thibaut Courtois’s understudy all tournament, spilled Pau Cubarsi’s shot late in the quarter-final, allowing Arsenal’s Mikel Merino to steer home and give Spain a 2-1 victory. Lammens was distraught at the final whistle. Heaton spoke to the youngster after United’s opening pre-season defeat by Wrexham in Helsinki. “It was obviously a challenging moment for him, but that’s the life of a goalkeeper,” said Heaton. “As soon as you put the gloves on and go between the sticks, you have to be ready to deal with that. He’ll be stronger for it. I honestly think it can help him in the long run.” Lammens, who arrived from Royal Antwerp for £18.1m and was outstanding last season, is now on a three-week break. He should return in the first week of August and be available for the Gothenburg friendly with Paris St-Germain on 8 August. United’s confidence in the youngster remains strong. Karl Darlow, 35, was signed as back-up on 14 July, while Heaton, 40, signed a one-year deal in the summer but made his last competitive senior appearance in February 2023. “I highly doubt Senne will be going into it with fear,” Heaton added. “Goalkeeper is a position where if something goes wrong, it’s going to end in a goal. It is tough, but Senne is very strong mentally.”
Across Old Trafford, manager Michael Carrick is working hard on transfers, having secured deals for Andrey Santos, Karl Darlow and Youri Tielemans this summer. But talks with Atalanta’s Ederson hit a roadblock after a medical flagged up knee issues. United have a history of letting talent slip through their fingers. In 2003, they came within a whisker of signing Ronaldinho from Paris St-Germain for £9m. The Brazil star, who had 44 goal contributions in 77 outings for PSG, was viewed as David Beckham’s successor. United were “99.9% certain” the World Cup winner would sign, but Barcelona swooped in and snatched him for £25.5m. Ronaldinho went on to claim the Ballon d’Or. Another near-miss was John Obi Mikel. The Champions League winner snubbed United for Chelsea despite holding talks with Sir Alex Ferguson and even signing a pre-contract. Mikel recalled on TNT Sports: “My first trial was with Manchester United. They thought to spend two, three months with us, then go back home and come back when you turn 18. Chelsea heard and sent an agent to Nigeria, then to Norway. United went to find me, but Chelsea had already sent me there.” Carrick is determined to prevent any more transfer setbacks as he assembles a squad capable of competing for trophies.
“Heaton backs Lammens after World Cup error; United also remember missing out on Ronaldinho and Mikel.”