Michael Carrick is well aware of the challenges that Senne Lammens is now facing from corner kicks against Manchester United without Matthijs de Ligt’s presence.
Senne Lammens spoke openly about the physical demands of the Premier League compared with the Belgian Pro League after Manchester United’s win over Everton.
According to The Guardian, the 23-year-old Belgian shot-stopper admitted that Man Utd’s encounter with Everton was a “big battle” from dead-ball set-pieces in the tie.
“[…] I’m still recovering from that [the set-pieces],” Lammens said last month.
“It’s been like this. It’s just the way it is – the Premier League, it’s physicality and a bit of war in the 18-yard box.”
Michael Carrick says opponents’ WWE style corner tactics have gone TOO FAR – Do you agree?
Is it time for referees to clamp down and start punishing teams?
Michael Carrick understands the need to protect Senne Lammens from corners after Man Utd’s 2-1 win vs Crystal Palace
Just like the Everton match, Senne Lammens found himself facing another major test from corner kicks during Manchester United’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Unlike the encounter at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with the Toffees, however, the Belgium international was unable to keep a clean sheet against Crystal Palace.
Palace broke the deadlock against United inside the opening five minutes and Maxence Lacroix powered a header into the back of the net from a corner kick.
Speaking ahead of Man Utd’s next outing against Newcastle on Wednesday, Michael Carrick was aware of the problems with corners amid Matthijs de Ligt’s absence.
“I think it’s gone too far,” he said at the Carrington training complex on Tuesday afternoon, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“It wasn’t long ago we were told you couldn’t lay a hand on anyone in the box and we were told it would be clamped down.
“It’s crept in; the success of corners and being able to put bodies close together has made more teams do it. It’s understandable why there are so many teams doing it and trying it.
“As a game, it doesn’t feel like we’ve got that balance right. I don’t know what to do about it; it’s not for me to decide.
“In the meantime, you [have] got to deal with what’s in front of you, and if it’s allowed, then you got to play to it.”
Tell us your reasons why Michael Carrick should be permanent head coach!
Matthijs de Ligt’s absence is where Leny Yoro must become the key Man Utd partner for Senne Lammens from corner kicks
Lammens stood rooted to the spot and watched on helplessly as Maxence Lacroix’s superb header landed in the far corner of his United net on Sunday afternoon.
Leny Yoro allowed Lacroix to escape his marking and the Man Utd centre-back was too late to put the 25-year-old French centre-back off from scoring.
The 20-year-old has become Carrick’s pick for the starting XI amid the absences of the recently injured Lisandro Martinez and long-term injured defender De Ligt.
Yoro could be a short-term solution for Carrick to fortify the Red Devils’ resilience from corner kicks by giving him a ‘primary protector’ role for Lammens.
Whereas De Ligt has been a strong aerial force for clearing balls from corners, Yoro could provide another option in getting to the second ball from set-pieces.
A major focus being put on Yoro to tap into his skills around second balls could be an all-important layer of protection for an already resilient Lammens during corners.
De Ligt’s presence is deeply missed in the Red Devils’ last 16 matches without him, but Carrick’s blueprint could be altered to use Yoro to help fill the void left behind.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
