Manchester United’s Senne Lammens says he enjoys the challenge of going to “war” in the Premier League’s congested penalty boxes but believes goalkeepers need more protection from officials.
There has been increased focus on set-pieces in the top flight this season and Lammens had to contend with 10 corners, as well as a number of free kicks and long throws into the box, during United’s 1-0 win at Everton on Monday night.
The Belgian, a summer signing from Royal Antwerp, says dealing with the physical side of the game is one of his “strengths” but admitted that the hustle and bustle of the top flight can be “too much” at times.
“It’s been all season like this. For me, it’s just the way it is. It is (the) Premier League,” said Lammens.
“It’s also physicality and a bit of war in the 16 (penalty area). It’s also one of my strengths, so sometimes I like the challenge as well.
“Of course it can’t get too much sometimes, but everyone has to deal with it. It’s not that only one team does it … and as a goalkeeper, you have to get used to that and train on it as well and then get better at it. I think I’ve been doing a good job at it, so I’ll continue to do that.
“It’s always been a bit of my strength, always, even in Belgium which is less physical but the principals are all the same,” he added.
“You have to be kind of big and not easy to be pushed around. Strength-wise you always want to be on top and be the best as possible so. My physical features are positive for those kind of situations.”
Although 23-year-old has adapted impressively since arriving at Old Trafford in a €21million (£18.2m) deal, Lammens says the Premier League should consider changing its rules or guidance to referees to ensure goalkeepers have more protection in crowded penalty boxes.
“Of course there’d have to be certain rules. It can’t get to the point where it’s too much,” said Lammens, who was speaking on a visit to Partington Central Academy Primary School ahead of World Book Day.
Lammens surprised a group of children, taking part in a Q+A as well as joining some playground sports games (Credit: Manchester United)
“I mean that’s something that the Premier League has to look towards. It’s difficult for me to say. Of course, you try to protect a little bit the goalkeeper sometimes and maybe there are some situations where that could have been protected more maybe. But for me to be honest, if it continues like this, just the physicality in general and those corners, I sometimes even like it as well, I have to say.”
United are unbeaten under interim head coach Michael Carrick, with five wins from six matches since the former England midfielder replaced Ruben Amorim.
“He (Carrick) has been helping us out really well,” said Lammens. “Making it as easy as it can for us from his experiences in the past, helping us with that as well, so you can see the way he talks about stuff that he has also experienced all the things we’ve we’ve been going through. So (I) can’t praise him enough.”