Ben foster pointed out a moment of magic from Senne Lammens which may have flown under the radar in United’s 4-2 win over Brighton in an all round “really good” performance.
Manchester United’s Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens has cemented his place in Ruben Amorim’s starting 11 after arriving in the summer transfer window from Royal Antwerp, and fans have been nothing short of impressed with his confidence at the start of his United career.
Lammens recently played in United’s 4-2 win over Brighton at Old Trafford, extending United’s winning streak to three wins in a row in the Premier League. The 23-year-old continued to be reliable in goal for United, as he was against Sunderland and Liverpool.
United took a comfortable 3-0 lead against the seagulls with Lammens having little to do until the 74th minute where former red, Danny Welbeck’s free kick found the back of the net, followed by an impressive headed goal from Kostoulas in additional time making for a nervy ending.
However, former red, Ben foster spotted a play from United’s goalkeeper which could have been vital in the second half.
Foster impressed with Lammens quick reflexes on uncomfortable cross
United fans will often look at Lammens’ superb ability to claim crosses and distribution with both feet, but Ben Foster did not want to let a moment of rapid reflexes go under-appreciated.
59 minutes into the game, with the score sitting at 2-0, a low in swinging cross from Minteh skipped past everyone in United’s box as it glanced across the face of Lammens goal towards the far corner.
The Belgian managed to react quickest and narrowly tip the ball around the post and out, denying Minteh from sparking a Brighton comeback.
Foster said, “[Lammens’] performance was good. It was really good. He made one save down to his right where a ball came through, and he’s having to wait for a flick, wait for a flick.”
Moments like this can be uncomfortable for a goalkeeper when anticipating a touch on the ball but being ready to dive quickly to push it wide.
Lammens played an innocent face to the referee
Impressively, in that moment, the new goalkeeper denied any touch on the ball, earning himself a goal kick, completely extinguishing Brighton’s attack.
Situations like that are where we have seen the likes of Andre Onana struggle, such as against Lyon, Ipswich and Aston Villa where very similar circumstances have resulted in United conceding from a cross.
Foster continued to say, “He waited till the very last second and still managed to get a little tip around the post because I think it might have just hit the post and gone in. Just might have.”
As a result, fans have been optimistic about the signing of Lammens, celebrating his consistent success with the fundamentals as United’s goalkeeper. Something United fans have not been able to celebrate for too long with Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana in goal.
Earning that appreciation from the fans lessens the tension and pressure on his shoulders and will potentially make fans more forgiving when he does make an error.
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