Manchester United hits Premier League low after conceding against Bournemouth

Manchester United hits Premier League low after conceding against Bournemouth

Manchester United has conceded the 17 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties) in 2024, the side’s most in a single calendar year in the Premier League.

The 17th goal came on Sunday when United conceded the lead to Bournemouth in the 29th minute when Dean Huijsen headed the ball into the net after Ryan Christie floated in a cross from a free kick.

In the 2024-25 season, the Red Devils have conceded nine goals from set pieces with only Wolverhampton Wanderers conceding more (14) in the ongoing campaign.

New manager Ruben Amorim took the blame for his side’s failure to mark set pieces during it’s 2-3 loss to Nottingham Forest.

“When this happens it’s my fault because I’m responsible. We tried to do it in the best way, we did a lot of work in this area because we saw it in (the) Arsenal (game), and it is really hard,” Amorim had said.

Forest needed just 90 seconds to score from a corner at Old Trafford.

United’s lack of height and power at the back is exposed at free kicks and corners and Amorim rejigged his team in the second half, bringing on centre-back Harry Maguire at 3-2 down in a sign that he was worried about conceding again.

“We put Harry Maguire on because of set pieces, to control more who was winning all the first balls. The only way to attack Nottingham was transitions, to try and win first and second balls. When Harry was on the pitch he won all the first balls,” Amorim said.

Prior to the Forest loss, United had lost 0-2 to Arsenal in the league in a match where both goals were scored from corners.

(With inputs from Reuters)