Ruben Amorim Explains Goalkeeper Switch After Manchester United’s Win Over Sunderland

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on his decision to hand new signing Senne Lammens his Premier League debut during their 2–0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper, who joined United in the summer transfer window, had been an unused substitute since his arrival. His long-awaited debut came at a critical time for Amorim, whose side had slipped to 14th place before kickoff, intensifying pressure on his leadership.

Lammens replaced Altay Bayındır, who had been serving as the club’s No.1 following André Onana’s loan move to Turkey. Bayındır’s recent errors, particularly during the defeat to Brentford, had raised questions about United’s defensive stability.

Following the much-needed win over Sunderland, Amorim described his decision as part of his squad rotation strategy.

“It’s rotation,” Amorim said. “Everybody has to be ready to play. We need to win this game and every opponent is different. We have to find the best characteristics to win the game.
What matters is the next game, but we saw in the last one that we need to improve in certain things that are crucial to win football matches.”

The victory lifted Manchester United to ninth place, giving Amorim some breathing space after a turbulent start to the season.

Opinion: Amorim’s Gamble Pays Off — But It’s Still a Fragile Calm

Ruben Amorim’s decision to start Lammens was more than just “rotation” — it was a calculated gamble. When a manager under fire replaces his goalkeeper, it’s rarely about tactics alone; it’s about sending a message.

Amorim’s message was clear: no one is untouchable. Not even the man between the sticks.

In truth, Amorim’s Manchester United project has yet to convince. The team has flickers of brilliance, but the consistency and composure expected from a club of this magnitude are missing. Lammens’ debut brought a sense of freshness — calm distribution, sharp reflexes, and a level of confidence that United’s backline seemed to feed off.

But while this win buys Amorim time, it doesn’t buy him peace. United fans have grown weary of “rebuild” phases that never seem to end. If Amorim’s side can’t build on this momentum, the noise around his job security will return — and louder than ever.

For now, though, the young Belgian may have just given his manager one more week of quiet at Old Trafford.