Over the years, Manchester United has been very bad at corner kicks. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, they were often confused in both defense and attack in this area. In just two seasons 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the "Red Devils" have somewhat overcome the number of goals conceded from corners before everything returns to the old trajectory.
However, in the 2025-2026 season, a big change is taking place. Man United are gradually becoming one of the most dangerous teams in the Premier League in set-piece situations.
Defensively, they are still not completely solid, having scored an average of 7 goals per 100 corners, a record of 5th place from bottom in the Premier League. However, when moving to the attack, that number completely reversed with about 14 goals per 100 corners, the highest in the league, even more than Arsenal.
The above statistics mean that for every 7 corners, Man United create 1 goal. This is an incredible performance for a team that was once considered helpless in arranging set pieces.
This does not come from luck, this is the result of a deliberate reform process. Ruben Amorim has reshaped the entire mechanism of deploying set pieces, such as having Bruno Fernandes take charge of playing in the left corner, Bryan Mbeumo performing on the right, mainly in-swing kicks (swerving inside), towards the 5m50 area, where central defenders such as Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are always waiting.
Man United's three central defenders play a very important role. When Maguire is on the pitch, he is always the number one target, while De Ligt supports by blocking the goal or extending the defensive system.
Luke Shaw, in the role of a left-sided centre-back who often plays as a blocker for an opponent, is a familiar device in modern football.
A typical example is the 1-1 draw with Fulham in August. In Man United's goal, Mbeumo took a right corner kick, Shaw pulled defender Rodrigo Muniz out of position, De Ligt blocked goalkeeper Leno and Leny Yoro from jumping high to head the ball into the opponent's net. A simple but very well-arranged move.
In the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Ruben Amorim continued to use the same combination. Bruno took a corner kick, De Ligt attracted him, Shaw moved his face to prevent the defender and Casemiro comfortably rushed up to head the opening goal.
The key lies in small tasks but performed accurately as a deceitful move, a timely interception and more importantly, crosses that are as accurate as a kilometre.
Amorim's versatility in organizing corners allows Man United to adapt to each situation. In the 2-2 draw with Tottenham last weekend, when Maguire left the pitch, De Ligt was moved from the "block" role to the "main shooter".
In the situation of scoring an equalizer in the last minute, Bruno Fernandes took a corner kick on the left, De Ligt was the motivator and left with Brennan Johnson, Mason Mount took his place to block goalkeeper Vicario, while Shaw blocked Rodrigo Bentancur from the far post. As a result, De Ligt was left un marked and easily headed the ball into Spurs' net, this was Man United's 6th goal from a corner kick this season.
That number is especially significant as just one more goal is needed to equal Man United's record for goals from corners in a season since the 2018-2019 campaign. More specifically, the xG from corners (7.1) has doubled compared to any season in the last 7 years. Under Amorim, Man United no longer rely on "spontaneous" corner kicks, they have a clear plan and calculation.
Of course, there is still a lot of work to do in defense, although goalkeeper Senne Lammens plays steadily, the "Red Devils" are still vulnerable to air battles. However, from a positive perspective, M.U has now turned weaknesses into strengths.
They no longer just know how to rely on the shining minutes of individuals, the team has an additional tactical and harmful weapon, which are corners prepared in every detail.
After many years of struggling, perhaps it is time for Man United fans to confidently say that their team is gradually improving in the seemingly simplest plays.
Maybe it is these set pieces that will be the foundation for Ruben Amorim to bring the "Red Devils" back the courage of a real Premier League challenger, which Arsenal have done in recent years in addition to their defensive ability.
