Senne Lammens could end an eight-year wait at Manchester United

Lammens started in the absence of Thibaut Courtois, who is sidelined with an injury, to make his second appearance for his nation. He made an excellent save at 0-0 to deny a volley from Weston McKennie, and the performance enhanced his credentials with the Belgium national team.

Lammens made his international debut in November. Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois has been Belgium's first choice for 10 years, but his participation in the World Cup could be in doubt due to injury.

That means there could be an opening for Lammens to start at the World Cup this summer, but even if Courtois recovers in time to feature, a changing of the guard is inevitable in the near future.

“It is nice to be compared to Courtois," Lammens said after winning against the USA. “I just try to do my job and be there when needed. That worked out well today, but now I have to keep confirming that. It is up to me to keep proving myself and be ready when the coach needs me.”

Belgium secured a comfortable 5-2 win against the USA, but their manager, Rudy Garcia, acknowledged the losing side were "better than the result." Essentially, it might have been a different story without Lammens.

Lammens' stock has risen following his move to United. The young goalkeeper has been quietly excellent since making his United debut against Sunderland in October, making important saves, instilling confidence in teammates and demonstrating authority in the box.

However, Lammens' superb start in Manchester is not a surprise to those who know him best. In October, his former coach, Hayk Milkon, told the Manchester Evening News that he could become the "best in the world."

Milkon coached Lammens during their time together at Club Brugge. He observed first-hand Lammens' raw ability and mentality, which Brugge staff believed would take him to the top of the game.

"I think for us at Club Brugge, it was very clear to everyone that Senne was a top goalkeeper. He would have been the perfect fit for Club Brugge to be the No.1," Milkon explained.

He added: "I was not surprised when I saw Manchester United had come calling. And to record his first clean sheet, I was really happy for him. Senne is a potential No.1 for the Red Devils - the Belgium national team.

"He got his chance, he took it, and we're all really proud of him, but we knew it would happen. I believe he has all the capabilities to become the best in the world, so I wish him all the best."

It's par for the course for coaches to wish their former players well when they speak to the media, however, it's not every day that a coach backs a player to become the best in the world in their position.

It was a huge vote of confidence for Milkon to say Lammens could become Belgium's first-choice goalkeeper on his way to becoming the world's best goalkeeper. Lammens could indeed usurp Courtois soon, but it will take him longer to achieve world-class status, which only a few goalkeepers of each generation reach.

David de Gea was the last world-class goalkeeper United had on their books and he arrived in Manchester with a similar profile to Lammens - young and unproven.

De Gea made a famously rocky start to his United career, but he departed three years ago with an outstanding record, having made 545 appearances for United and been part of the team that won the 2012/13 Premier League title with Sir Alex Ferguson in charge.

The Spaniard won the FA Cup in 2016, the Carabao Cup in 2017 and 2023, as well as the Europa League in 2017. And that's without mentioning that he is seventh on the club's all-time appearance list.

De Gea was the world's best goalkeeper in 2017/18, a season in which he set the bar for a United goalkeeper to perform. Andre Onana was signed to succeed De Gea, but he was a disaster.

Lammens has already contributed more than Onana, and has made a stronger start in Manchester than De Gea managed when he arrived from Atletico Madrid. The Belgian has demonstrated the potential to fulfil his former coach's prediction.