Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick expressed his admiration for goalkeeper Senne Lammens following a 1-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
Lammens recorded his first away clean sheet for United since March and was pivotal throughout the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, helping Carrick’s team jump over Chelsea into fourth place in the league standings.
“A goalkeeper needs to be reliable and trustworthy,” Carrick said post-match. “You want him to reduce chaos and instill calmness, and I think Senne embodies that.”
Everton attempted to pressure Lammens by placing several players near him during a series of corners in the second half, but were unsuccessful.
Everton manager David Moyes acknowledged the plan’s shortcomings.
“The goalkeeper was absolutely brilliant. The save he made from Michael Keane and how he dealt with corners was impressive,” the former United coach remarked. “We expected to capitalize on our pressure during those moments, but it didn’t happen. He was the standout performer on the field.”
While United struggled offensively, it was Benjamin Sesko‘s introduction that changed the game. He scored after a swift counterattack, securing all three points for his team.
Sesko has netted six goals in his last seven matches but has yet to establish himself as a starter. Carrick noted that while there might be some frustration for the £66 million ($89 million) summer acquisition, the 22-year-old remains positive.
“I understand why there’s so much discussion around it, but Ben and I have a solid relationship,” Carrick stated. “He obviously aspires to be a starter, but I can’t emphasize enough how commendable his attitude has been. He’s consistently putting in the effort and making notable contributions when he comes on.”
“We’ve had some great discussions, and he’s in a good place. Our goal is to support his development and growth as a player. Progress can come in small or large increments, and recently he’s made significant strides. It’s fantastic to witness.”
United, with Carrick unbeaten since taking over from Ruben Amorim, will face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1 in their next Premier League match.
Everton has only secured four victories out of their 14 Premier League matches at their new stadium, and Moyes acknowledges that his team is still adjusting.
“There’s likely a transition taking place—opposing teams seem to enjoy playing here,” he noted. “There are nuances we need to acclimate to. However, I believe our performances have improved compared to those at Goodison. Our team is better this year, and we weren’t winning every game there, to be truthful.”
Information from PA contributed to this report.