Moyes hails 'bloody brilliant' Lammens as United's standout performer in Everton defeat

Manchester United moved back to winning form on Monday evening with a clinical 1-0 victory over Everton at The Hill Dickinson Stadium, keeping their Champions League ambitions firmly on track with the gap to third-placed Aston Villa now just three points.

Benjamin Sesko, the summer arrival from the continent, struck in his third successive game, capitalising on a swift counter-attack to settle the contest. The 25-year-old has formed an impressive understanding with fellow new recruits Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, though it is goalkeeper Senne Lammens who has arguably proven the most transformative signing of United's 2025/26 campaign.

The Belgian international has slotted seamlessly into a position that had long been a source of frustration at Old Trafford, and his performance against the Toffees drew effusive praise from opposite number David Moyes.

"Their goalkeeper was the best player tonight," the Everton boss declared after the match. "The goalie was bloody brilliant for them. The save he made from Michael Keane, the corner kicks."

Moyes acknowledged that his side had controlled proceedings for large stretches but paid tribute to United's ruthless efficiency on the break. "We put in effort to score but lacked quality to get the goal," he reflected. "Most of the game we controlled it pretty well but in that one moment we switched off and it gave them that opportunity."

The Everton manager highlighted the visitors' threat going forward, noting that their attacking players possessed the pace and movement to capitalise on transitions. He also felt his own side might have warranted a goal for their efforts, though ultimately Lammens's composure proved decisive.

For Michael Carrick, United's interim manager, the goalkeeper's seamless integration represents something rather special. When pressed on comparisons to club legend Edwin van der Sar, Carrick exercised caution but acknowledged striking parallels.

"I don't want to be comparing them because I don't think it's fair to Senne," Carrick explained. "But there's definitely similarities."

The United boss emphasised the qualities Lammens brings to the table: reliability, trustworthiness, and an ability to absorb pressure rather than amplify it. "You want him to take the chaos away and calm things down," Carrick said of his new number one. "He's quite quiet at times and unassuming, but he's got real steel."

Carrick pointed to the goalkeeper's composure as a stabilising influence on those in front of him, a trait that has made his adjustment to the Premier League feel almost effortless despite his relative inexperience at this level.