Senne Lammens complained to his Manchester United team-mates as he struggled against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the Premier League
Senne Lammens
Senne Lammens didn't want the ball(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
View Image
Manchester United legend Gary Neville spotted goalkeeper Senne Lammens telling his team-mates that he did not want the ball as they constantly looked towards him for respite. United looked to the Belgian shotstopper when they were in possession during the first half, and Neville used his lip-reading skills to convey his message.
Lammens had come under pressure numerous times in the goalless opening period at Old Trafford and even found himself playing United into trouble when his passing went awry, allowing Lucas Bergvall to find Dominic Solanke for a good opportunity.
The keeper was able to stand tall to produce a strong save but he found himself under pressure from Spurs and his team-mates. Such was the heat coming on his goal, Neville believes he spotted Lammens emphatically telling his defenders to look elsewhere when they were in possession of the ball.
"Senne Lammens, that ball is getting back to him too much by the way, number one," Neville said on commentary.
"But number two, when it comes back to him, he's looking like it's a struggle in his mind.
Google Preferred Source Badge
Google Preferred Source Badge
"'I don't want it' he's just said, I'm not a lip reader but there was a little f (swear word) in there as well. "
*FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page*
Neville added that Michael Carrick would have been frustrated with his team's outing. "Man Utd just need to get into half-time," he said.
"I'm not sure what Michael Carrick's first words will be. Maybe, 'What was that?'. He'll have expected so much more."
Pundit Jamie Redknapp agreed with Neville's assessment and suggested that United were causing their own downfall.
"Michael Carrick will be thinking, 'How are we going to get a foothold in this game?'
"They've got no idea how to play out, no real structure. They are so spread out that they've not got the ball up to the top area well enough."
"Spurs have been excellent in that first half. They've controlled the game, they've been aggressive," he added.
"The chances they've had - certainly the first with Dominic Solanke - they've pressed really well. But Man Utd are also causing their own problems as well."