How Manchester United's new goalkeeper was made! Sena Lamens trained extra during holidays and won over the entire team, showing a unique trait different from Onana

When Sena Lamens signed for Manchester United, he wore a simple tracksuit, looking more like someone heading to the Old Trafford offices than an £18 million signing. He also dressed modestly when called up to the Belgian national team. This is one of the admirable qualities of the 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper: he avoids the spotlight and focuses on hard work. This contrasts sharply with the former goalkeeper André Onana, who liked to be the center of attention.

According to English media reports, Lamens requested permission from the club to train extra at Carrington during his holidays. Moreover, he takes detailed notes after every match and training session, earning recognition from the coaching staff. In fact, this habit dates back to his childhood.

Lamens’ former coach, Hayk Milkeen, recalled: "I occasionally saw reports criticizing his plain and boring attire when representing the national team, but fans expressed hope that he would maintain this style. This calm and composed demeanor perfectly reflects Sena’s personality; he is very reserved and dislikes flamboyance. He focuses on what he needs to do, is honest with those around him, and always maintains a practical and diligent attitude."

During their time at Club Brugge, Milkeen was Lamens’ coach, serving as assistant for the reserves, interim head coach, and U18 manager. Now, one has joined the prestigious Manchester United, while the other is the youngest head coach in the Belgian league. Milkeen praised Lamens’ professionalism: "I often stayed overnight at Club Brugge’s training ground because I worked late and there were dormitories. Sometimes I saw someone entering the gym late at night — that was Sena. Wearing headphones, he would do recovery or extra training in the gym. Sometimes, he even played basketball, which he really enjoys."

Lamens joined Club Brugge’s youth academy at age 12 and played against Manchester United in the UEFA Youth League. Unfortunately, he never became a first-team regular there due to the presence of former Liverpool goalkeeper and Belgian international Simon Mignolet. Unwilling to remain a backup, Lamens chose not to renew his contract and transferred freely to Royal Antwerp. In his first season at Antwerp, he was mainly a substitute, but in the 2024/25 season, he became the first-choice goalkeeper.

Coach Milkeen revealed that Brugge appreciated Lamens’ performances but could not give him opportunities because of Mignolet’s presence. "Sena’s decision-making is outstanding. He remains calm and always finds solutions during matches; his reflexes are quick, and he understands the balance between risk and reward, knowing which decisions to make." He added, "His passing skills are excellent, his footwork very skillful, and his saves are top-notch — even back then, he made many remarkable stops. He truly is a very well-rounded goalkeeper."

Regarding Lamens’ traits, his mentor summarized: "He was able to make the right decisions at a very young age, showing remarkable maturity, which is truly impressive. Additionally, he is comfortable playing with both feet, which is another significant advantage."

Last season, Lamens stood out in his first full professional league campaign, saving four penalties, and in March this year, he was called up to the Belgian national team for the first time. "I wasn’t surprised when I heard Manchester United contacted him. He kept a clean sheet in his debut, and I’m happy for him. Sena has the potential to become the first-choice goalkeeper for both Manchester United and Belgium," Milkeen said. "He seized the opportunity, and we are proud of him. I believe he will have a successful career, and Manchester United will regain their status as a dominant powerhouse."

Lamens has also impressed Manchester United’s coaching staff, receiving high praise from many. He has settled in Manchester, moving from a hotel to a rented house. Besides basketball, he enjoys golf, sharing this interest with teammates Tom Heaton, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Harry Maguire.

After Manchester United’s victory over Liverpool, teammates embraced Lamens, one of the key contributors to the win. When he kept a clean sheet in his debut against Sunderland, De Ligt, Amad Diallo, Maguire, and Luke Shaw congratulated him. The West Stand crowd sang in celebration: "Sena Lamens, are you Peter Schmeichel in disguise?"