Manchester United's defensive woes have reached alarming proportions as they conceded directly from a corner kick for the second time within just one week. Their latest setback came during their 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, adding to their tally of league losses and raising serious questions about their set-piece discipline.
The match at Molineux Stadium saw United struggle defensively, yet again succumbing to a corner situation. It happened when Matheus Cunha's corner kick sailed directly past goalkeeper Andre Onana, who was positioned on the line but could not intervene effectively. This calamitous moment occurred shortly after United's captain, Bruno Fernandes, was sent off following his second yellow card, reducing the visitors to ten men and adding to their woes.
Rio Ferdinand, former United center-back, took to social media immediately after the match, posting the cryptic message "No comment" on X. His brevity spoke volumes about the frustration surrounding the team's ability to defend against set pieces—a concern he knows all too well from his time on the pitch.
This incident was not isolated; it highlighted United’s troubling trend of poor defensive organization at set-pieces. Heading to this match, United had already conceded 17 goals from set pieces this season, marking not just alarming statistics but prompting intense scrutiny of their defensive formations.
Cunha's goal came right after Wolves had taken control of the match, following Bruno’s dismissal, which turned the tide significantly against United. At the time Cunha’s effort crossed the line, two Wolves attackers were dangerously close to the isolated Onana, showcasing the clever tactics employed by the hosts to exploit United’s vulnerabilities.
After the game, Cunha reflected positively on the result, stating, "I feel so happy. We didn’t start the season well; we come together, we suffer together, and we score together." He also emphasized the importance of their preparation for set pieces. "We train it a lot - we try to manage the goalkeeper and we did it so well and I'm so happy." With Hwang Hee-chan also finding the net later, Wolves capitalized on United's slip-ups, sealing their victory decisively by scoring twice.
This loss compounded United's recent struggles, marking their third consecutive defeat across all competitions. Prior to the Wolves match, they faced setbacks against Bournemouth and lost dramatically to Tottenham Hotspur 4-3, exacerbated by their lack of resilience to recover from losing key players to fouls and fatigue.
Fans and analysts have pointed fingers at the coaching staff for their inability to rectify the team's defensive shortcomings. While some have called for changes, others are merely pointing out the evident lack of adaptation to the changing dynamics within the Premier League—a league known for punishing defensive errors mercilessly.
Looking forward, Manchester United faces questions of how to improve quickly as they prepare for subsequent matches. Their holiday stretch could determine their standing as they cling onto hopes of qualifying for European competitions. The performances must show significant improvement if they are to warrant belief from their fan base, who have been left frustrated and longing for the days of more solid defensive displays.
With the triumphant Wolves now gearing up to challenge Tottenham, United must regroup to avoid their defensive frailties leading to even worse consequences. Their next games will be pivotal, with the eyes of fans and pundits alike undoubtedly monitoring their set-piece defenses closely.
