Man Utd's Set-Piece Woes Exposed
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Set-Piece Security in Peril as Manchester United’s Achilles’ Heel Exposed
The opening day of the Premier League season has delivered a stark reminder that some problems require more than just short-term fixes. Michael Carrick’s Manchester United side, praised for their defensive improvement since his appointment, were humiliated by Hull City in a 2-0 defeat marred by set-piece vulnerability.
This is not a new issue for United, nor is it exclusive to them. The Premier League has long been plagued by an alarming susceptibility to corners and free-kicks. Despite efforts to strengthen their backline, Manchester United have struggled to address this fundamental problem.
Since the start of last season, United have conceded 12 set-piece goals, putting them joint-second behind only Leeds in this unwanted league table. Hull’s Semi Ajayi scored from a corner, while Nobel Mendy netted from a free-kick and followed corner, leaving United’s defenders looking woefully exposed.
Carrick can point to the overall improvement in United’s defensive record since his arrival, but the fact remains that they have conceded 31% of their goals from set-pieces under his stewardship. This trend will need to be reversed if United are to avoid a repeat of last season’s implosion against Hull.
Across town at Elland Road, Leeds United is quietly building a reputation for exploiting this weakness. Ethan Ampadu, the club captain and highly-regarded midfielder, has honed his long throw into an almost unbeatable asset. With 139 throws since the start of last season, he’s now second only to Michael Kayode in this particular league table.
Ampadu’s dedication to perfecting this skill has paid off in a big way. He’s recorded 53 shots from long throws and five goals to his name. His team-mate Brenden Aaronson describes his long throw as “unbelievable,” while Ampadu acknowledges the importance of practice in developing this unique talent.
Leeds’ set-piece expertise has significant implications, particularly given their penchant for long throws. With 33 long throws already on record in the opening round of fixtures, it’s clear that teams will be looking to exploit this weakness throughout the season.
Manchester United have been handed a stark warning: until they can address their own set-piece vulnerability, they risk repeating last season’s collapse against Hull. Ipswich Town, visitors to Old Trafford on Sunday, will be hoping to capitalize on this trend and bring further embarrassment to Carrick’s side.
As the Premier League season gets underway in earnest, teams will need to adapt their tactics to counter this specific threat if they hope to succeed. The question now is whether Manchester United can find a solution to this age-old problem before it’s too late.
Reader Views
- PRPat R. · frugal living writer
The elephant in the room is that many of these set-piece goals could be avoided with a more disciplined approach to defending corners and free-kicks. Teams are getting away with minimal effort by targeting United's backline on these dead-ball situations. It's not just about strengthening the team, but also implementing a smart defensive strategy that limits opponents' opportunities from set-pieces. Perhaps it's time for Carrick to prioritize this aspect of the game, rather than relying on short-term fixes and hoping for improvement.
- SBSam B. · deal hunter
The set-piece issue at Manchester United is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode in their face. You can't just paper over the cracks with some fancy new signings and expect it to magically fix itself. It's clear they've been neglecting this aspect of their game for too long, and now they're paying the price. What's concerning is that they've actually become more reliant on set-pieces themselves, averaging nearly two a game. This creates a vicious cycle where teams like Hull are licking their lips at the prospect of capitalizing on United's vulnerability from dead-ball situations.
- TCThe Cart Desk · editorial
The elephant in the room: Manchester United's set-piece Achilles' heel is glaringly obvious. But what's concerning is that despite their defensive improvements under Michael Carrick, they're still leaking goals from dead-ball situations at an alarming rate. The article highlights Leeds' exploits of this weakness, but it's worth noting that Hull's clever use of corners and free-kicks was as much a product of United's vulnerability as the Tigers' own nous. Until United address this fundamental flaw, their top-four aspirations will remain forlorn.