The latest news from Manchester United ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield
Up next for Manchester United in the Premier League is a date with Liverpool, in one of the biggest rivalries in world football. Liverpool started the season with seven straight wins in all competitions, but that seems a long time ago now after they racked up three defeats on the bounce before the international break.
Ruben Amorim’s United have been inconsistent this far, languishing in the middle of the table with three wins to their name in the Premier League. However, with such a big game on the horizon, a win for either side could be a catalyst to properly get the ball rolling.
After an enforced break due to recent friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, both sides will be rejuvenated ahead of a mouthwatering contest at Anfield. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at all the big news coming out of Old Trafford.
Bold Lammens claim after behaviour comes to light
A former coach of Senne Lammens says he could become the best goalkeeper in the world and has identified the behaviour which exemplifies him as a professional.
The young Belgian shot-stopper penned a deal with United during the summer alongside the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and more.
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When he arrived to sign the contract, he was dressed in a simple navy sweatshirt and polo – a very rare sight in the modern game, when huge salaries are often coupled with designer clothes and a generally more luxurious taste in attire. He kept it simple on international duty, wearing a beige collared jacket, a khaki t-shirt and chinos.
“By accident, I saw an article saying he was wearing something boring when he reported for international duty and fans saying they hoped he stays like this,” said former coach Hayk Milkon.
“This ‘boringness’ is just the way Senne is, he’s really calm and no excesses. He focuses on what he needs to focus on and is open with the people around him. He keeps his feet on the ground.”
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Following these comments, he suggested Lammens could become the very best: “I was not surprised when I saw Manchester United had come calling. And to record his first clean sheet, I was really happy for him. Senne is a potential No.1 for the Red Devils – the Belgium national team.
“He got his chance, he took it and we’re all really proud of him, but we knew it would happen. I believe he has all the capabilities to become the best in the world, so I wish him all the best. I’m sure he will have a very good career in England and Manchester United should return to the big club they used to be.”
Rik de Mil, head coach of Club NXT when Lammens first broke through, offers a similar tale about his behaviour on the training field. The pair also worked together at Club Brugge, when De Mil spotted Lammens’ work ethic. After working late at the training ground, De Mil noticed the goalkeeper returning to the gym alone for a late-night training session.
He said: “He had been sitting at home, thinking I’m doing nothing here, so I’ll go back to the training ground and I’ll be all alone there in the gym. He added: “We always talked about keeping that balance of pushing and being ambitious, but at the same time, sometimes giving yourself a break. He put a lot of pressure on himself.”
Scholes picks three who can’t handle PL
Paul Scholes has identified Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire as three players who can’t cope with Premier League football.
The trio are all aged above 30 and United are in need of further squad rejuvenation in the coming windows, with the likes of Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba being touted as potential replacements for Casemiro, who is heading for the exit door in 2026.
Scholes told The Times: “Shaw, Maguire, Casemiro, they’ve all been great players but they’re at a stage of their career now where you get found out in the Premier League if you’re not physically good enough.
“Their bodies are not athletic enough, they’re not strong enough, they’re not quick enough. They’ve dropped to a level where they can’t cope with what’s needed in the Premier League.
“Every player in the Premier League is an absolute machine. They’ve got five per cent body fat, they can run, they’re strong, they can head it. Manchester United are carrying two or three players that are just not capable of living with it.”
De Ligt defends Amorim after criticism
United centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has defended his manager after the latter received criticism for his system. The Portuguese manager has received negative feedback for his 3-4-2-1 formation, with the Red Devils sitting in mid-table despite a summer of splashing the cash.
Wayne Rooney and Scholes have previously criticised Amorim’s tactical approach, while Gary Neville launched a rant about the manager after the loss to Brentford.
Speaking to The Telegraph, De Ligt chose to defend his boss: “We’re improving as a team. In modern football even if you play a back four almost all teams play by building with three defenders. And we do often defend with four defenders.
“It’s always easy to say ‘system this, system that’. But, in the end, it’s always adaptable in the game. There’s no situation where the system is always the same in the game. In that way of being flexible and in the structure we have to find a way to get everything right and make everything happen.”
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