Manchester United’s vulnerability in defending set-pieces has been glaring, with three goals conceded from dead-ball situations in their last two Premier League outings. Addressing this weakness is crucial, and the solution may already be sitting on the bench.
Former United defender Phil Jones, now a pundit, delivered a concise yet insightful analysis following Nottingham Forest’s first goal against United. “Ultimately, go and attack the ball, be aggressive, and get first contact. United didn’t do that enough today,” Jones said.
Disorganization and Poor Matchups
The goal Jones referred to highlighted United’s shortcomings in aggression, organization, and communication. Diogo Dalot’s poor positioning, Lisandro Martinez marking the towering 6’4″ Nikola Milenkovic, and Manuel Ugarte being tasked with Chris Wood exposed glaring mismatches. It was no surprise that Forest capitalized.
Similarly, Arsenal exploited United’s defensive frailties, with both goals in their 2-0 win coming from corners. While the deliveries from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were pinpoint, United’s lack of organization made the goals avoidable.
Coaching Adjustments and Accountability
Set-piece defense has become a recurring issue for United, with only Wolves and Southampton conceding more goals from such situations this season. Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff has tried to address this weakness. Andreas Georgson, brought in during the summer, was initially responsible for set-piece training but has since been supported by Carlos Fernandes.
Amorim explained the new structure: “Carlos is responsible for set pieces, different stuff. Andreas is also there to help. That’s it.” Despite these adjustments, the team’s struggles persist, highlighting that coaching alone cannot solve the problem.
Harry Maguire: The Obvious Solution
The players’ on-field execution remains the critical factor. Aggression and aerial prowess are qualities that often come naturally, and in United’s current squad, Harry Maguire is unmatched in aerial duels. Maguire’s ability to dominate in the air makes him the ideal candidate to shore up United’s set-piece defense.
During the Nottingham Forest match, Amorim introduced Maguire for Matthijs de Ligt in the second half to bolster the team’s aerial presence. “We put Harry Maguire on because of set-pieces,” Amorim explained. “When Harry was on the pitch, he won all the first balls.”
Strategic Use of Maguire
With crucial fixtures against FC Viktoria Plzen and Manchester City this week, Maguire’s role could be pivotal. Starting him against Plzen on Thursday, with a planned substitution to preserve his fitness, could allow United to benefit from his presence in the Europa League while keeping him fresh for Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Although Maguire has been overlooked recently, his strong form before injury and his ability to handle aerial threats make him indispensable in resolving United’s set-piece issues.
A Pragmatic Choice
While Maguire may not be a trendy pick among fans, his value in “trench warfare” scenarios is undeniable. At a time when set-pieces are causing repeated headaches, leaning on his strengths is a logical move. United must prioritize practicality over style if they are to regain stability in their defensive setup.
