Senne Lammens urges Manchester United to show reaction, clean up defensive errors as key fixtures arrive

Struggling Manchester United head to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday for one of the toughest games the UEFA Champions League has to offer. It's very possible things could get ugly in Madrid for Michael Carrick's side. But goalkeeper Senne Lammens insists they're up for the fight after a poor start to the season. Speaking to reporters after their 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday , which came after conceding a 92nd-minute equalizer despite Spurs being down to 10 players, Lammens thinks United will benefit from having huge games coming up thick and fast over the next few weeks. Crucial few weeks coming up for United "I mean, you can look at it both ways, to be honest. We know there are a lot of games coming very fast. 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," Lammens explained. "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. So I think that's the feeling we have to get. We know we showed a lot of good things as well today, so take those things and learn from the bad things. And yeah, like you say, there are a lot of very important games, but we also love to play those games. We fought last year to be in the Champions League, so we're very happy to be there. And if you want to go far in that competition as well, you have to win those games as well." After Atletico away United have the small matter of heading to bitter rivals Leeds United on Sunday before heading to Como in the Champions League next week and then back-to-back Premier League games at home to Bournemouth and away at Chelsea. Given the way they're playing at the moment, with a lack of zip and energy in midfield and attack and a penchant for making big defensive errors, it's quite conceivable that United will lose their next five games and the pressure will pile further on Michael Carrick. They have Roma and Aston Villa before the November international break and then head to Liverpool and Sporting Lisbon before hosting Brentford to see out November. That run of 10 games is going to be crucial. Defensive issues play big part in poor start Asked about the big defensive mistakes which have cropped up so far this season, Lammens agreed that there have been issues at the back. "Yeah, I agree. 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. "I think 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 team, especially on the crosses. And I think today was better, but then you see in the end, one good cross and one good header, and you can lose the game like that, or the win can go away like that. So I get what you're saying, but I think we've been trying to make a difference there, and I think it's been better already, but yeah, it's a pity that today, especially in the end like that, the win slipped away from us." Lammens also admitted that United have to learn from this tough start to the season, but believes they are doing some things well. Yet with just six points from their opening six games of the league campaign they are already 12 points off the top of the table and don't look like kicking on from their strong finish to last season and a surprise third-place finish. What does he make of United's start to this season? "I think defensively we can be a bit better, a bit more solid. Today was better, because in the first half it was a bit more difficult, but you survive, you keep it as zero, and then you can be able to pull those games towards yourself," Lammens said. "So yeah, it's like you said, it's a bit like that feeling last season where maybe we didn't have our A-game, but we still were able to pull those games out and win those games, where this feeling is like, you feel like you play better, but you don't really get the wins you deserve. So it's kind of a mix of both. You both want to play good and also be able to pull the games where maybe you don't have your A-game." More energy needed as squad players ready to step up Lammens also revealed how teams are able to get at United at the moment, and with the way Atletico Madrid play and love to press high it seems like Diego Simeone's side will be licking their lips ahead of Tuesday's huge showdown. "They [Spurs] had a very good, and technically a very good plan to try to press us, which was difficult to get out of," Lammens said. "Then in the halftime, you see we made some changes tactically, also a couple of players maybe coming in who helped us out as well. And then you can see you pull the game towards you, you have the feeling you're in control of the game. So yeah, next time we need to try to start the game like that and straight away we need to be able to press their team and we need to be able to control the game." Pro Soccer Talk asked Lammens about the likes of Joshua Zirkzee and Carlos Baleba coming off the bench to give United a boost against Spurs and how important that squad depth is going to be going forward. "Yeah, it's very important. One of the good things about today was, of course, them coming in and helping us out a lot - everyone could see it," Lammens said. "We needed that extra spark a little bit in the end, that fresh legs. And I'm very happy for them as well that they could show themselves, but that's what we've been seeing every day on training as well, so for us it's nothing new. We know we have a very deep squad. So yeah, those people are going to have to step up as well this season, and I'm happy they were able to do that today." Whoever starts for United at Atletico on Tuesday, and at Leeds on Sunday, Lammens is right: they need to step things up in a big way. It's still early but it feels like the next few weeks are pivotal for United's season and Carrick's future. Now is the time for United to play with more urgency, energy and aggression. But can they do it?