Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens has revealed that reading books about sporting legends such as Tiger Woods and LeBron James has been key to his success under interim manager Michael Carrick. The Belgian shot-stopper, who joined United from Royal Antwerp in an £18m deal in September, has established himself as the club's No.1 and played a pivotal role in their recent resurgence.
Speaking at a Manchester school ahead of World Book Day on behalf of the Manchester United Foundation, Lammens explained his unusual approach to preparation. 'I don't really watch a lot of football,' he said. 'Everything has revolved around football at the club, so you almost want to switch off a little bit mentally.' Instead, he draws inspiration from other sports, reading about the mentality and preparation of athletes like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Lammens is currently reading Woods' biography and finds such books helpful for dealing with adversity and stress. 'You can learn a lot from their mentality,' he added. The 23-year-old also admitted that adapting to the attention of being a United star took time, but he is relishing the pressure of helping the team under Carrick.
'Pressure is a bit what you make it,' Lammens said. 'I try to just relax. It's not too bad for me to be honest.' He praised the camaraderie in the dressing room and the winning feeling that has returned under Carrick, stating, 'The togetherness is really there.'
