Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has shared his take on the new set-piece technique that has become popular in the Premier League.
Set-piece has grown to become the best way to score goal in the Premier League this season with Arsenal the best side. Mikel Arteta’s side have scored a league-high 22 goals from set pieces this season, with their strategy to prioritise dead-ball situations fuelling their bid to win a first league title since 2004.
United have also been impressive interms of scoring from set-piece, with 16 goals scored including Harry Maguire’s late winner against Liverpool in October.
They have also been on the receiving end of the aggressive approach of teams from corners, losing 1-0 to the Gunners in the opening game of the season from a goal from a corner which then coach Ruben Amorim thought should have been disallowed.
Players in the box prepare for a corner-kick during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Sharing his take about the new set-piece tactics, Carrick told a press conference: “I think it’s gone too far. It wasn’t long ago we were told you couldn’t lay a hand on anyone in the box and we were told it would be clamped down. It’s crept in, the success of corners and being able to put bodies close together has made more teams do it. It’s understandable why there are so many teams doing it and trying it. As a game, it doesn’t feel like we’ve got that balance right. I don’t know what to do about it, it’s not for me to decide.”
Having won six out of seven games under Carrick while remaining unbeaten, the coach had high praise for the players’ work rate and performances since he succeeded Ruben Amorim in mid-January.
“Talent-wise, ability-wise, the boys have shown what they can do,” he said. “Good habits, good behaviours, looking after each other, I can’t speak highly enough of the players.
“The boys have got to be in a good frame of mind to be able to be able to put performances together. I think the only way to do it and give yourself the best chance is to stay in the moment, and it’s for everybody else to get involved in the discussions. I didn’t get too far ahead in terms of what was possible at that stage. We had to get to work quickly and put things into practice, give the players the right balance to go into a game. I know some of the players, some more than others, it’s a really good group.
“Football is a tough game to get results. I learn, always learning as you go through, do things different. There is a lot of context, the group of players. It is about living in the moment, keep grounded and not getting carried away. You have got to feed off the confidence. We are hungry for more. Stay consistent.”
