Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens is relishing the physical challenge of the Premier League after coming through a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Everton.
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens is relishing the physical challenge of the Premier League after coming through a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Everton.
Monday's match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium saw Everton try to put Lammens under pressure by crowding his six-yard box during a succession of corners, the Toffees also testing the 23-year-old with several long-range shots.
But the Belgian, formerly with Royal Antwerp, held firm to continue an impressive start to his Premier League career.
Many overseas goalkeepers have struggled initially with the physical nature of the English game.
Lammens, however, is up for the fight, with his form helping United climb back into the top four under caretaker manager Michael Carrick.
"For me, it's just the way it is," he said Thursday. "It is the Premier League. It's also physicality and, like you say, a bit of war in the (penalty box). It's also one of my strengths, so sometimes I like the challenge as well."
He added: "Of course there have to be certain rules, it can't get to the point where it's too much.
"But I enjoy it as well, getting out of my comfort zone a little bit and dealing with those situations because now even though there were a lot of bodies next to me, I still came from crosses so that also gives me a good feeling that I'm doing well and doing those things well."
United made an £18 million ($24 million) move for Lammens on transfer deadline day in September and he has since displaced the uncertain Altay Bayindir, who took over between the posts for the Red Devils from Andre Onana.
This is only the 6ft 4in (1.93 metres) Lammens' second season in senior football but he has so far adjusted well to the demands of playing for a high-profile club such as United.
"I said a couple of weeks ago that I couldn't really imagine it going any better," Lammens explained.
"But also I don't really want to look too much to the past. It's been great but I still have to prove myself every week."
© Agence France-Presse
