'Man Utd long-ball strategy at Anfield deliberate'

Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens says the decision to persist with the long ball out of defence at Liverpool on Sunday was pre-planned.

Rather than try to play out from the back to beat Liverpool's press, Lammens took the aerial route, even though 6ft 5in forward Benjamin Sesko started the game on the bench.

The move paid immediate dividends as it was a long ball that eventually led to the aerial collision involving Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister and Bryan Mbeumo that created the attack from which the Cameroonian put United in front.

And it was another long punt downfield that forced the corner from which Harry Maguire won the game.

"The coaches try to give you as much information as they can," said Lammens.

"You have to be realistic as well. They are going to go man-v-man, so coming to Anfield it is quite difficult to build up.

"So, we made the decision that we should get more of a long ball and try to win the second ball, even though we didn't really have a target striker. We did it quite well, so that's how we could still push them away."

Lammens has brought a much-needed sense of calm to United's defence even though he has only made two appearances since his £18.1m deadline day move from Belgian club Royal Antwerp.

Head coach Ruben Amorim kept Lammens on the bench for three games after his arrival, two of which ended in defeats at Manchester City and Brentford.

That move has been praised as it gave the 23-year-old time to adjust to his new surroundings.

"I try to keep my best friends and family close. The rest is outside noise," he added.

"My social media has exploded but they told me that before my transfer.

"Now I'm doing good, it's all praise. But I'm realistic. If it doesn't go so well, it will be a bad commentary."