Carrick's corner crisis
Michael Carrick pushed back on claims that Manchester United's opening-day defeat to Hull was the result of a passive performance, noting that both goals came from set-pieces. The problem, however, is far from new.
Hull's opening goal — a close-range rebound converted by Semi Ajayi — was the 12th Manchester United have conceded from a corner since the start of last season, a figure that matches Leeds as the joint-highest among current Premier League sides in that period.
Ajayi's strike was compounded by Nobel Mendy doubling Hull's lead from a free-kick. It followed corner goals Manchester United gave away against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest in the closing weeks of last season — though those lapses ultimately went unpunished as Carrick's side won all four matches en route to a third-placed Premier League finish.
Looking back at the footage, what stands out is how little the attackers were tested. Just as Ajayi found room when Harry Maguire inexplicably held his own team-mate Noussair Mazraoui, Maxence Lacroix, Ross Barkley, and Morato each scored unchallenged for Palace, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest respectively.
Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic openly acknowledged in his post-match press conference that his coaching staff had identified the weakness and prepared to exploit it — a sign of how widely recognised the vulnerability has become.
Carrick can point to genuine defensive progress since taking charge in January. Manchester United had conceded 31 goals in 21 Premier League games before his arrival and only 20 in 18 since. Yet they carry the third-highest share of goals conceded from set-pieces in the Premier League under his management, underlining a stubborn flaw within an otherwise improving defensive record.
It is worth acknowledging that Manchester United were equally potent from attacking dead balls last season, scoring 26 set-piece goals — second only to champions Arsenal in the Premier League. But until the problem at the other end is resolved, they remain susceptible whenever opponents deliver corners and free-kicks into their box. Ipswich, who visit Old Trafford on Sunday, will be looking to do exactly that.
Ampadu's throw becomes a genuine weapon
While Europe's biggest clubs spent the summer reshaping their midfields with headline transfers, Leeds quietly secured one of the division's smartest pieces of business by tying Ethan Ampadu to a new contract through 2030 in June. The Welsh midfielder continues to thrive under Daniel Farke.
Ampadu is valued by Farke as an outstanding leader and was described by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher as one of his favourite midfielders. Operating as a No 6, he combines the qualities of a deep-lying playmaker and a tenacious ball-winner. Yet it may be something altogether different that defines his contribution most.
Since the start of last season, Ampadu has launched 139 long throws into the box — more than any Premier League player bar Michael Kayode, his opponent on Sunday. He leads Kayode for shots generated from long throws, recording 53, and matches him for goals with five.
He produced another telling contribution in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The throw itself was imperfect — the ball slipped from his grip and looped towards the near post — but after Forest failed to clear and James Justin bundled the ball home, Ampadu celebrated pointedly in front of the Forest supporters who had been baiting him.
Ampadu has spoken candidly about the scepticism he faced early last season, including from sections of his own support.
