MANCHESTER UNITED GOALKEEPER LAMMENS BACKED BY HEATON AFTER WORLD CUP ERROR

Tom Heaton has offered support to Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens following an error at the World Cup. Lammels, 24, was called into action during Belgium's quarter-final against Spain after Thibaut Courtois suffered an injury with 19 minutes remaining. Late in the match, Lammens spilled a shot from Pau Cubarsi, allowing Mikel Merino to score and secure Spain's 2-1 victory. Heaton, speaking after Manchester United's pre-season defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki, said he had spoken to the goalkeeper about the incident.

Lammens had largely remained unused throughout the World Cup until Courtois's injury forced him onto the pitch. He joined Manchester United from Royal Antwerp last season for £18.1 million, chosen ahead of Argentina's Emi Martinez. Lammens impressed during his first season at the club before his World Cup appearance. Heaton, 40, signed a one-year contract with United this summer and views the error as a learning opportunity for a young goalkeeper. Karl Darlow, 35, was signed as back-up to Lammens on 14 July.

Heaton expressed confidence that Lammens would benefit from the experience. The goalkeeper is on a three-week break before returning to pre-season training in the first week of August, meaning he could be available for Manchester United's friendly against Paris St-Germain on 8 August. Heaton stated that Lammens possesses strong mental resilience and that mistakes are part of a goalkeeper's role. He described the 24-year-old's personality as fantastic for the position.