In a rare public appearance, Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson has voiced his approval of the club's recent progress, specifically highlighting the immediate impact of summer signing Senne Lammens.
The former manager, who secured 38 trophies during his 26-year reign, made the comments while attending the Bahrain International Trophy horse racing event, expressing cautious optimism about the team's direction under current boss Ruben Amorim.
Ferguson's Vote of Confidence
Speaking to Raceday RTV, Ferguson pointed to positive developments at his former club, particularly singling out the new Belgian goalkeeper for praise. Lammens joined United from Royal Antwerp in a £21.7 million transfer this summer and has made an impressive start to his career at Old Trafford.
'There are signs, the manager has had some good signs,' Ferguson stated. 'Particularly the goalkeeper has been outstanding, he's only played three or four games and he's looking really good.'
Ferguson also acknowledged the contributions of other new arrivals, mentioning Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, who joined from Brentford and Wolves respectively. He emphasised the perpetual need for success at a club of United's stature, while recognising the importance of patience during a rebuilding phase.
United's Unbeaten Run and League Position
Ferguson's comments come as Manchester United are enjoying a five-match unbeaten run under Ruben Amorim. This positive sequence represents a significant improvement after a disappointing previous season.
The unbeaten streak was maintained with a dramatic last-gasp 2-2 draw against Tottenham just before the international break. This result leaves Amorim's side in seventh place in a tightly-packed Premier League table, but crucially, they are just two points behind third-placed Chelsea.
To date, Lammens has played five matches for United and is yet to be on the losing side. His debut resulted in a clean sheet during a 2-0 victory over Sunderland. This was followed by a notable 2-1 win against rivals Liverpool and a 4-2 triumph over Brighton. While the last two league games against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham ended in 2-2 draws, the young goalkeeper's performances have continued to earn plaudits.
The Man Behind the Signing
The acquisition of Lammens is credited to the persistent work of Tony Coton, a former goalkeeping coach who served under Ferguson for ten years. Coton now works for the Red Devils as a goalkeeper scout and was reportedly instrumental in identifying the Belgian's potential.
Manchester United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, recently confirmed Coton's pivotal role, stating, 'Tony Coton was putting Senne on my radar 12 months ago, and he was relentless with it. This guy is going to be a top signing for us, and he has started well, but he has got to keep it going.'
Wilcox elaborated that the signing was not a impulsive decision, but part of a long-term strategy. 'We were always looking at goalkeepers who have huge potential. Senne was available and we decided to move, but it wasn't a knee-jerk reaction.'
As United fans hope for a return to the glory days synonymous with Ferguson's era, the endorsement from the club's most successful manager provides a significant boost and highlights the promising foundations being laid at Old Trafford.
