The reason behind Manchester United's improved corner kicks revealed! It's not the work of a single individual, but consistent practice and mastering one effective technique that boosted efficiency significantly.

This season, Manchester United has scored many crucial goals from corners and set pieces, prompting many to seek a single hero to praise. Initially, the assistant coach Carlos Fernández under Rúben Amorim received acclaim, but after his departure, attention shifted to analyst Kaita Hasegawa. However, the Red Devils' set-piece improvement has no savior; it’s simply a result of extensive practice and skill refinement.

In the 2024/25 season, Manchester United lacked sufficient time to properly train set pieces. Amorim explained that due to a congested schedule, players had to focus on recovery, so only theoretical sessions were possible. Specifically, players stood in designated spots while coaches explained tactical ideas without actual drills, fearing fatigue or injury.

This season, Manchester United competes solely in the Premier League, missing out on European competitions, and suffered early exits in the League Cup and FA Cup. As a result, most weeks feature only one match, allowing a full week for training. This gave coaches more time to refine set-piece tactics, and players could simulate match situations to improve passing accuracy and timing without worrying about overexertion.

Hasegawa truly plays a key role in set-piece design; he is the first-team performance analyst and has been with the squad since 2022. However, the improvement is definitely not his alone—the data team and coaching staff’s collaboration are the real behind-the-scenes heroes.

During Amorim’s tenure, Carlos Fernández was responsible for set pieces. After Carrick took over, Jonny Evans, with Hasegawa’s assistance, devised the corner routine that led to the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Some of Manchester United’s set pieces are straightforward crosses delivered accurately, combined with timely positioning and strong headers. Players like Maguire, Casemiro, De Ligt, and Sheshko, all excellent in the air, deserve credit. Bruno Fernandes usually takes left-side corners with his right foot, while Mbembo handles right-side corners with his left, delivering inswingers. Free kicks are mostly taken by Bruno Fernandes.

Statistics show that Manchester United’s corner deliveries are now more precise, landing inside the small penalty area, targeting the most dangerous zones in the center or back post. By using movement to distract and block the goalkeeper, they create space for teammates to head the ball.

In the away match against Fulham, De Ligt faced three defenders alone, creating a headed deflection opportunity for Lenny Yaro to score.

In the final moments of the away game against Tottenham, Senna Lamens also rushed to the goal as a decoy, allowing De Ligt to head an unmarked equalizer at the back post.

With these players, Manchester United can also use a strategy of feints, creating gaps outside the box to provide shooting space for Mbembo, Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, or Cunha. The goal against Tottenham was an extension of this tactic. Maguire and others attracted attention inside the box, so the undermanned Spurs completely missed Mbembo at the arc, while Kobe Meno’s cross-goal movement made the play more creative.

Tottenham had only Xavi Simons defending just outside the box, while Manchester United positioned Amad, Mbembo, and Diogo Dalot there. Amad pretended to receive Bruno Fernandes’ tactical corner, drawing Simons away, but the actual target was Meno, giving Mbembo plenty of shooting space.

Manchester United’s winning goal against Liverpool also came from a tactical corner. Bruno Fernandes passed to Mbembo outside the box, but since Liverpool was not undermanned, Federico Chiesa blocked the shot, which was saved by the goalkeeper. However, Bruno Fernandes crossed again, and Maguire headed the ball into the net to complete the attack.

During corners, De Ligt, Maguire, and Sheshko, the three tall players, charge toward the goal to draw Liverpool defenders away from man-marking, while Ugarte moves to the near post, attracting zonal defender Corks, and Cunha blocks Veerts from providing support defense.

In the 3-2 victory over Burnley, Mbembo’s right-side corner also used the same routine. This time Bruno Fernandes was responsible for the delivery, but unfortunately, he misdirected the ball. This tactic is employed by the Red Devils nearly every few games.

In fact, Manchester United has used similar corner tactics in the past but without much success. Now, with training ground drills and players’ characteristics aligning better, this style of attack has become more threatening. For example, Mbembo and Cunha have excellent shooting abilities, offering more target zones, unlike before when only a handful of players could do so, making it harder for opponents to defend.

Data shows Manchester United averages 14.3 goals per 100 corners this season, ranking first in the Premier League. However, the team remains vulnerable defending corners, conceding 7.1 goals per 100 corners, the highest in the league.