Manchester United Goalkeeper Senne Lammens Unveils Unique Pre-Match Ritual
Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, has disclosed an unusual pre-match routine that involves placing his goalkeeping gloves in a jacuzzi days before a fixture. The 23-year-old Belgian international revealed that he adopted this distinctive practice from former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, highlighting the cross-club knowledge sharing in professional football.
Jacuzzi Technique Enhances Glove Performance
Speaking candidly on the Fozcast podcast with Ben Foster, Lammens explained the rationale behind his ritual. "I probably wear a new pair every game, depends how I feel," Lammens stated. "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 hot tub with the guys... I actually got it from Simon Mignolet."
He elaborated on the practical benefits, noting that new gloves often feel stiff and lack optimal grip. By submerging them in the jacuzzi for approximately half an hour right before team meetings, Lammens softens the material, ensuring better flexibility and adhesion during matches. "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," he added.
Impressive Start at Old Trafford
Since his £18.1 million transfer from Royal Antwerp last summer, Lammens has made a significant impact at Manchester United. In 23 Premier League appearances, he has conceded only 29 goals, solidifying his position as the team's primary goalkeeper. His arrival led to Altay Bayindir being relegated to the number two spot, while Andre Onana departed on loan to Trabzonspor.
Lammens' performances have been exceptional, with many attributing his consistency to meticulous preparation, including this glove ritual. Prior to joining United, he featured 64 times across all competitions for Royal Antwerp, helping them secure the Belgian Super Cup in his debut season and establishing himself as one of Belgium's top goalkeepers.
Dream Move to Manchester United
Reflecting on his transfer to Old Trafford, Lammens described the process as surreal. "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," he recalled.
He detailed how United scouts watched him multiple times at Antwerp, with the news of their interest initially seeming unbelievable. "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," Lammens shared.
Despite the high-pressure nature of deadline day transfers, Lammens remained composed throughout the negotiations. "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'," he explained.
His pragmatic approach ensured he avoided excessive anxiety, viewing the move as a dream opportunity rather than an urgent necessity. "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," Lammens concluded.
Looking Ahead to Premier League Action
As Manchester United prepare to face Aston Villa in their upcoming Premier League clash, Lammens' ritual will likely be part of his meticulous preparation. His adaptation of Mignolet's technique underscores the continuous evolution of goalkeeping practices, where even rivals can influence each other's methods for enhanced performance on the pitch.
