Senne Lammens has explained why Manchester United are desperate to beat Everton in their Premier League encounter on Monday (February 23rd). The Red Devils have had a week off to prepare for the trip to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
United are the Premier League’s in-form team, unbeaten in their last nine games. Michael Carrick has overseen four wins and one draw in five games since replacing Ruben Amorim last month.
The Reds face an Everton side that has endured a topsy-turvy season. The Toffees sit ninth at present and are eyeing potential European qualification.
Man United’s Lammens looks to avenge Everton loss
United fans won’t need reminding what happened the last time the two sides met. A 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford was arguably the lowest point of the season and played a role in Amorim’s sacking.
The Merseyside outfit were a man down for the majority of the game following Idrissa Gueye’s sending off. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s strike separated the two teams, and that defeat will be on Carrick’s players’ minds.
Lammens suggested so when he spoke ahead of the game. The Belgian goalkeeper recalled the humiliating loss at home to David Moyes’ men when speaking to club media:
“I think I would say it every week that it’s an important game, but especially this one for me, because our home game against them was a really tough loss, playing against 10 men as well, so I think we also owe it to ourselves and to the fans to keep that in mind and to get a reaction.”
That defeat was just one of four the Reds have suffered in the Premier League this season. The race is on for UEFA Champions League football and Chelsea displaced United in fourth after a 1-1 draw with Burnley yesterday.
Lammens added:
“I think the way we’re playing right now, of course with the last five games, which were good, you just want to keep that momentum going after a week without a game.”
All but one of United’s four defeats have come on the road, and the four-game winning streak ended last time out. Carrick’s side settled on a point away to West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The good news is that Everton have performed poorly at home since making the move to Hill Dickinson. The Toffees have won four and lost five of their 13 games at their new stadium.
Man United told Lammens improved after Amorim
Lammens joined United from Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp on deadline day last summer. The 23-year-old arrived in an £18.2m deal after catching the eye in his homeland.
The Red Devils were desperate for a number one after Andre Onana flopped and moved to Turkish side Trabzonspor. Altay Bayindir failed to convince when given opportunities between the sticks.
United’s former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has claimed that Lammens has started to thrive since the change in coaching team. He told The Athletic:
“His form dropped with how the team was going. Amorim leaving has helped. I’m not sure Lammens was getting the work he needed before.”
Lammens’ acquisition has been one of the most important since INEOS took over sporting operations. He has kept four clean sheets, and his team has lost just two of 20 games when he has played.
Amorim was in charge when Lammens joined the club, and he was coached by 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital. Carrick’s arrival saw former Morecambe goalkeeper Craig Mawson take over from Vital.
Lammens made 14 appearances under Amorim, keeping two clean sheets while conceding 19 goals. He’s kept as many clean sheets in his five outings under Carrick.
