Man Utd’s set-piece problem and Ampadu’s lethal weapon

Manchester United’s opening-day collapse to Hull exposed a set-piece frailty that now demands urgent attention. Two of the three goals conceded came from dead-ball situations, continuing a trend that stretches back to last season. The 12 corners conceded in that time are the joint-most in the Premier League, a statistic that Carrick’s side can no longer ignore.

United’s set-piece vulnerability laid bare

Hull’s opener arrived when Semi Ajayi pounced on a rebound after United failed to clear a corner. It was the latest in a sequence of avoidable set-piece goals that stretches back to last season’s run-in. Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest all scored from dead balls against United in the final two months of 2025-26, though only Forest’s goal mattered in a result. The pattern is clear: opponents are finding unmarked attackers in the box with alarming regularity. Against Hull, Ajayi drifted free while Harry Maguire inexplicably held his own teammate, Noussair Mazraoui. Against Palace, Maxence Lacroix was similarly unchallenged, as were Ross Barkley and Morato against Aston Villa and Forest respectively. Sergej Jakirovic, Hull’s head coach, openly discussed targeting this weakness in his pre-match preparations, and his side delivered.

Michael Carrick has pointed to overall defensive improvement since his January appointment—20 goals conceded in 18 games compared to 31 in 21 before—but set-pieces remain a glaring exception. The contrast between Carrick’s broader progress and this specific flaw is stark. United’s inability to defend corners has cost them points in games they could not afford to lose, and the evidence suggests the problem is structural rather than tactical.

Ampadu’s long throw becomes a Premier League talking point

While United struggle to clear set-pieces, Leeds now possess a weapon to exploit them. Ethan Ampadu’s long throw has evolved into a genuine attacking threat under Daniel Farke, stretching defences and creating chances from deep positions. The data shows Ampadu’s throws are reaching unprecedented distances, turning a routine set-piece into a tactical nuisance. Farke’s system has weaponised the long throw, turning a marginal gain into a consistent source of pressure. Ampadu’s development under Farke contrasts sharply with United’s struggles, highlighting how set-pieces can swing both ways.

Leeds’ use of Ampadu’s throws reflects a broader trend in the Premier League, where set-pieces are increasingly decisive. Farke’s tactical approach has turned a niche skill into a match-winning tool, a lesson United may need to study if they are to close the gap on their rivals.

What comes next for United’s dead-ball dilemma

The Champions League draw has added urgency to United’s set-piece crisis. Enzo Fernandez’s potential move to Manchester City would further expose United’s midfield limitations, while Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of Julian Alvarez keeps transfer speculation at fever pitch. The distraction of potential incomings and outgoings risks delaying the structural fixes required to shore up United’s dead-ball defending. Carrick’s midfield rebuild, as noted by The Guardian, leaves no room for excuses—yet set-pieces remain the exception to his defensive progress.

United’s next fixture will test whether Carrick can address this issue before it costs them more points. The data suggests the problem is deep-rooted, but the Premier League’s relentless schedule offers little time for reflection. Ampadu’s long throw is a reminder that set-pieces can be a weapon in attack as well as a liability in defence. United must decide whether to treat this as a tactical priority or risk repeating the same mistakes under different managers.

For now, the evidence is clear: United’s set-piece issues are not going away. The question is whether Carrick can turn the tide before the next dead-ball disaster strikes.