Senne Lammens has opened up on a bizarre pre-match ritual he uses at Manchester United, having learned it from a former Liverpool goalkeeper
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens(Image: Getty Images)
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Manchester United's Senne Lammens has revealed that he puts his goalkeeping gloves in the jacuzzi days before a game - a trick he learned from ex-Liverpool shot-stopper Simon Mignolet.
Lammens, 23, joined United from Royal Antwerp for £18.1million last summer and has stood out since his move to Old Trafford, conceding just 29 goals across 23 Premier League fixtures.
He has made the No.1 position his own at the Reds, pushing Altay Bayindir to second-choice, while Andre Onana left to sign for Trabzonspor on loan.
His form has been impressive and now he has opened up on a bizarre pre-match ritual which could contribute to his excellent performances in a United shirt. Speaking to Ben Foster in the Fozcast, Lammens admitted he throws his gloves in a jacuzzi days before a game with the rest of his teammates - something he was taught from Mignolet.
"I probably wear a new pair every game, depends how I feel," Lammens said. "If I played with one pair, I trained in them the whole week then I'll wear a new pair.
"If you play Saturday, I'm training in them Friday but before then, I like to get them in the jacuzzi with the guys... I actually got it from Simon Mignolet. How new gloves feel, they're stiff, the grip is not great, I like to get them in there for half an hour. Right before the meeting I throw them in and then after take them out. I do a full session, I'll wear them warming up and wear them for the game."
Lammens had spent the previous two years at Royal Antwerp and made 64 appearances across all competitions for the Belgian side, helping them win the Belgian Super Cup in his first season at the club.
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens
Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens(Image: Getty Images)
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He cemented himself as one of the standout goalkeepers in Belgium during his time in Antwerp, and United decided to swoop in and sign him towards the end of last summer's transfer window.
Detailing the first contact he had with United before his move, Lammens said: "It was quite a long time ago but the first time I heard about it, it was like, 'no it's not possible'. You don't really believe it. It's so far out there, it's such a dream.
"They came to watch a couple of times, it was at Antwerp they said a few people from Manchester was here which was crazy to hear. It's insane to hear, the first time I couldn't really believe it until the summer.
"Of course, I'm confident in myself but I was a full starter for one year so it was a surprise that they went for me. Then it was deadline day, which was a special experience. We were in contact for the whole summer, in the end everything went well. I never really was too stressed or 'ah shit, it's not going to happen'.
"If it didn't I would just keep going with Antwerp or however long it takes, it was never for me a 'had to happen in the summer'. Before that it was a bit of a dream or scepticism which is a good thing as I wasn't really too nervous."
United and Lammens are next in action when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.