The Manchester United midfielder mocked Everton's tactic of congesting the penalty area and overcrowding goalkeeper Senne Lammens in a post on social media
Senne Lammens
Kobbie Mainoo pointed out how Everton's tactics congested Manchester United's box(Image: Getty Images)
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Kobbie Mainoo has taken to social media to back Senne Lammens after Everton players repeatedly crowded the Belgian goalkeeper at corners during Monday's 1-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Despite the pressure, Lammens handled the situations impressively.
Speaking about the difficulties he faced with Everton's tactics, Lammens told Sky Sports: "Everton are a physical team, their defenders are really big. We knew the corners and set pieces would be difficult. It's a strength of mine [dealing with crosses], but today it was a bit over the top!
"I had to be behind the line in order to come out. It was too much, but it can be difficult for the referee to see it. Sometimes you can't be thinking too much about players around you, because then you aren't thinking about the ball.
"My defenders can create space for me, so I have the opportunity to come and punch the ball away. But it is getting more and more difficult."
Mainoo, who started the game, drew attention to it on Instagram afterwards, sharing a wordless post of a congested United box with Everton players swarming Lammens as the corner came in.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo shared the image on his Instagram stories
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WWE scene
Mainoo's comparison on Instagram
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He even likened the scene to something out of WWE. The Belgian was named man of the match after producing several important saves and relieving pressure by confidently claiming crosses.
Everton boss David Moyes later described the goalkeeper as 'bloody brilliant.'
Meanwhile, interim head coach Michael Carrick praised his composure, adding: "For me, he's a goalkeeper to be reliable, be trustworthy. Instead of creating chaos, you want him to take the chaos away and calm things down.
"I think Senne is that. He's quite quiet at times and unassuming, but he's got a real steel. How he's gone about it at the moment is with calmness, with composure. I think it does help those in front of him an awful lot."
The victory saw United strengthen their position in fourth place, closing the gap to third‑placed Aston Villa to just three points. Unai Emery's side travel to rock‑bottom Wolves on Friday evening.
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