United Front: Lammens Backs Carrick Amidst Struggles

It's been another turbulent week for Manchester United. After a frustrating defeat in Como, the mood around the club is anything but cheerful, marking a challenging start to the season. Adding fuel to the fire, star player Bruno Fernandes recently questioned the tactical approach of the coaching staff in a post-match interview, following a similar outburst from Lisandro Martinez just a week prior. This has prompted manager Michael Carrick to deliver a heartfelt five-minute address in his pre-match press conference, emphasizing the need for humility and togetherness within the squad. Sitting down with United's first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens, I couldn’t help but ask about the unity in the dressing room. "I genuinely believe we’re together on this," Lammens stated firmly. He added, "I understand that emotions run high after a game, and frustration can lead to comments that might not reflect our true feelings. We all crave success, and sometimes we say things we don’t mean. But I assure you, we’re all behind the coach, from the staff to the players and even the front office." The match against Como was another shaky start for United, conceding just minutes into the game—an all-too-frequent occurrence this season. They also fell behind early against Atletico Madrid and struggled against Fulham and Spurs, leaving the team with just one clean sheet this season, achieved back on September 10. "It’s tough," Lammens admitted. "We’ve got to learn quickly. When you concede so early, it disrupts everything—your game plan goes out the window, and you end up chasing the match. That's something we need to fix." He continued, "I know it seems like an easy fix from the outside, but trust me, we’re putting in the effort every day to find solutions. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way, and it feels like everything is aligning for the opposition." Lammens believes a single strong performance could change the narrative. "We’re aiming for that breakthrough moment, and we’re working hard to achieve it. I understand there are many stories and criticisms directed at us, especially after the loss to Como." Indeed, United is currently enduring their worst run since 2014-15, with seven games without a win across all competitions. Carrick has been vocal in defending his team, acknowledging the shortcomings observed by fans and pundits, including a lack of aggression and intensity. These are qualities that were evident last season when his side achieved crucial victories over top teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City. Lammens reflected on this, stating, "Last season, while we sometimes played better, everything just seemed to click. We didn’t concede often, and we counter-attacked effectively. We knew teams would adapt against us, so we worked on evolving our game this season." He concluded, "What we really need to rediscover is that fighting spirit from last season, even when things aren’t going our way. Defending and pushing forward as a united team is crucial for us to get back on track."