Hidden Michael at Old Trafford: Lamines Steals the Spotlight in United's Win
5 October 2025
Debut Sparks at Old Trafford
The Saturday night at Old Trafford was supposed to be routine, but Sen Lamines changed everything, becoming the talk of fans and press alike.
The young Belgian goalkeeper, who joined from Royal Antwerp for 18.1 million pounds on the final day of the summer transfer window, made his Manchester United debut against Sunderland (2-0) in the seventh round of the Premier League, keeping a clean sheet and leaving a first impression hard to ignore.
At 23, Lamines arrives with only one season of top-flight Belgian league experience, prompting questions about the value of a signing at a time when United were wrestling with real goalkeeping issues alongside Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana.
Yet the club's bosses saw a long-term project in the teenager, while manager Ruben Amorim said he would need time to settle before featuring him in competitive matches.
Fans wasted no time making him a feature. Near the end of the game, the Stretford End rose to sing: "Are you the hidden Michael?", a nod to United legend Peter Schmeichel, as if to bring a little humor back to a defense-starved section.
Early moments showed a promising start, though Lamines was briefly pulled out of his area in the second half in a scene involving captain Bruno Fernandes and Bertrand Traore as they chased the ball early.
That move looked rash and nearly cost a goal, with Traore booked for simulation.
Those moments underscored that Lamines, despite his talent, still needs to refine some details, especially with Liverpool at Anfield looming.
Amorim explained that Lamines's first appearance in week seven was a deliberate step and that the pressure on a young keeper can be immense.
Analysts, including Leon Osman, praised the decision not to throw him straight into the fray, arguing that he should be given time to learn the atmosphere, the teammates, and the tactical demands.
Stats suggested he influenced play: 86.4% of his 44 passes were long, a higher proportion than the 56.5% recorded by his teammate this season.
United's approach helped ease pressure from the back, pushing the ball forward quickly and building a result that mattered: a third consecutive home win at Old Trafford for the first time in more than two years, and the season's first clean sheet.
For Lamines, the night was more than three points—it signaled a beginning, not merely a stopgap, and a belief that he can become a reliable starter rather than a shadowy backup.
Upcoming tests are undoubtedly tougher: Liverpool at Anfield, then Brighton, Tottenham, Everton and Crystal Palace—fixtures that will reveal whether this is a one-off or the start of something bigger.
Until then, fans can relish the moment and chant again, "Are you the hidden Michael?" not as mockery but as a hopeful sign that the goalkeeping riddle might finally be solved.
Punchline 1: If this is a one-game wonder, the sequel better come with subtitles.
Punchline 2: Call him the "Masked Keeper"—the only goalie who debuts and leaves with a clean sheet and a mystery to boot.
