Manchester United’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens has urged the club to move past the “sour” taste left by a late 1‑1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The match, which saw United squander a 1‑0 lead after a red card to Rodrigo Bentancur, left the Old Trafford crowd booing Michael Carrick and intensified doubts over his future as manager. Lammens said the team must learn from the defeat, especially as the club faces a tight schedule that includes a Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid, a Premier League clash with Leeds United, and another European fixture away at Como.
The loss came after Bryan Mbeumo’s goal had put Spurs on course for victory, but United’s Solanke snatched a stoppage‑time equaliser after the visitors had been reduced to ten men. Lammens reflected on the missed opportunity: “It’s very disappointing because you find a way to get the game, to get the advantage, to score a goal, to get 1‑0 up against 10 men. That’s the position you want to be in, so it’s very disappointing to get the last goal against us at the end.” He added that the team must use the experience to improve, noting that “these are the games you have to try to pull towards yourself. To win these games is very important if you want to get a good season.”
United’s start to the campaign has been their worst since 1986, with only six points from six matches. The club’s defensive frailties were on full display, as Lammens admitted the team has yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League. He highlighted the defensive lapses that allowed Solanke to score, citing a cross from Sandro Tonali and a header from Lisandro Martínez that slipped past the goalkeeper. “I think sometimes in the end it comes down to maybe here and there, maybe a mistake from someone, but it doesn’t really start with that,” Lammens said. “It’s a team thing. The manager has been hammering a lot about defending as a team, being able to put pressure on the opposition, especially on the crosses.”
Looking ahead, Lammens stressed the importance of staying focused on the next match to erase the disappointment. “After a disappointment, you can take that disappointment with you, or you can get it changed real quick and know there’s a game coming up very quickly,” he said. “For me personally, if I maybe don’t have the best game, I’m looking forward to the next game to get that sour feeling out of my mouth.” He acknowledged that while the club has shown positive moments, the upcoming fixtures, particularly the Champions League tie against Atlético, will test United’s resolve and ability to perform under pressure.
With the Champions League return long extinguished and the Premier League campaign struggling, the Red Devils face a critical period. The next games will determine whether Carrick can salvage his tenure or whether the club must consider a change in leadership to secure a place among Europe’s elite. The outcome of the Atlético match on Tuesday will be a key indicator of whether United can turn their fortunes around.