Senne Lammens to Man Utd transfer comes with surprise twist after Gary Neville inquiry

Senne Lammens is set to complete a £17million transfer to Manchester United this week after missing Royal Antwerp's Belgian Pro League match against KV Mechelen on Sunday. However, Lammens' Old Trafford arrival could come with a surprise twist that may leave supporters feeling underwhelmed.

United have a serious goalkeeper issue. Andre Onana has seemingly lost his status as an untouchable starter, but Altay Bayindir is also struggling to convince. The Red Devils were thought to have accelerated their pursuit of Lammens to address the problem and hand Ruben Amorim a new starting stopper.

However, following talks with club figures, Gary Neville has claimed that the 23-year-old could begin life in England as United's backup option.

"I've been asking around about that one this morning and spoke to a few people at United," Neville ahead of kick-off at Fulham on Sunday.

"The feeling is that the new boy coming in [Lammens] would probably be a No. 2 who would start on the bench, but they absolutely do need a No. 1."

"The main priority for United is still goals, and we think Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko are going to do that.

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"We think Onana will start today [vs Fulham], but that situation isn't right. Bayindir came in last week, but he makes a lot of mistakes."

Onana didn't return in the 1-1 draw against Fulham, despite travelling to Craven Cottage, sitting among the substitutes instead.

Bayindir kept his place and didn't look comfortable on corners again, following his blunder in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Neville has suggested that Onana could look to push for a United exit before the summer transfer deadline if it becomes clear that minutes will be a rarity this season.

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He added: "Now that Onana knows United have been scouting around Europe for a new goalkeeper and replacement for him, his confidence must be shot at and he must be thinking he wants to get out.

"They have to deal with that. That and the central midfielder slot next to Bruno [Fernandes] are the two things they need to get sorted this week [before the transfer deadline]."

Lammens will likely be the fifth and final arrival of the summer, following Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

Amorim also wants a midfielder, but player sales to boost the budget have not gone as hoped, with several players still awaiting permanent exits.