Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' analytical column where Nick Wright mixes statistics with insight to highlight the Premier League stories you need to know. In this season's opening edition we focus on three key points: - Manchester United's struggle to defend corners - Ethan Ampadu’s increasingly threatening long throws - A player worth keeping an eye on this weekend Michael Carrick snapped back at critics who blamed United’s loss to Hull City on a lack of passion, pointing out that both goals came from set‑piece situations. This isn’t the first time the Red Devils have shown vulnerability when defending dead‑ball scenarios. Hull’s opener, a rebound finish by Semi Ajayi from close range, marked United’s 12th corner concession since the start of last season – a figure that ties them with Leeds for the highest total among current Premier League clubs over that period.
Ajayi’s goal was quickly followed by a free‑kick strike from Nobel Mendy, and United later yielded further corner goals against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest in the final two months of the campaign. Those previous set‑piece goals didn’t cost United any points; they won each of those four matches and secured a third‑place finish. Yet when you replay the footage, the ease with which opponents found space is striking. In the Hull game, for instance, Ajayi slipped into a pocket because Harry Maguire inexplicably held his own teammate Noussair Mazraoui, while Maxence Lacroix, Ross Barkley and Morato all enjoyed one‑on‑one situations when scoring for Palace, Villa and Forest respectively.
Hull manager Sergej Jakirovic even highlighted United’s corner frailty in his post‑match press conference, explaining that he and his video analyst had devised a plan to exploit that specific weakness. Carrick can, however, point to an overall defensive improvement since taking charge in January. United had allowed 31 goals in 21 league games before his arrival last season, a figure that has dropped to 20 conceded in 18 games under his stewardship. Despite that progress, United still rank third in the league for the proportion of goals conceded from set‑pieces since Carrick’s first match in charge – a statistic that underlines how much work remains to be done.
On the flip side, United have been prolific attackers from dead balls, netting 26 set‑piece goals last term, second only to champions Arsenal. Until they can tighten up at the back when corners and free‑kicks swing in, United risk repeating the Hull debacle.
Their next test comes against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Sunday, a game that will be streamed live on Sky Sports. Ipswich will be eager to become the next side to profit from United’s set‑piece woes. Switching gears, Leeds United may have struck a coup this summer by securing Ethan Ampadu on a new contract that runs until 2030.
The 22‑year‑old captain has thrived under Daniel Farke, earning praise from his manager as an "outstanding leader" and from pundit Jamie Carragher as one of his favourite midfielders. Ampadu excels in the No 6 role, blending deep‑lying playmaking duties with the tenacity of a destroyer. His most distinctive weapon, however, is his long throw.
Since the start of last season he has delivered 139 long throws into the opposition box, second only to Michael Kayode, and he matches Kayode’s tally of five goals from those throws while surpassing him in the number of attempts, with 53 long‑throw shots recorded. Ampadu’s latest long‑throw assist came in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Although the delivery was a bit wobblier than usual – looping toward the near post after slipping from his hands – Forest failed to clear, and James Justin bundled the ball home. Ampadu celebrated the goal with a grin at the home crowd, who had earlier mocked his throw‑ins.
He recalled the early scepticism from Leeds supporters when he first began using his throws regularly last season, saying in February, "I got battered a little bit by Leeds fans, saying it wasn't actually that long, which was true, sometimes it's not great. But it's getting longer." Recent pre‑season matches have silenced many doubters; two of his throws led to goals against Liverpool, prompting teammate Brenden Aaronson to describe the improvement as "unbelievable" and claim Ampadu was now throwing "about 20 yards further and 20 yards harder".
While Aaronson’s figures were hyperbolic, the data backs up the upward trend. Ampadu’s average throw distance has risen from roughly 28 metres in February to about 32 metres now, putting him on par with fellow specialist Kayode. Leeds will hope to capitalize on this advantage as long throws become an increasingly common tactical element. In the opening round of fixtures last season there were 33 long throws, roughly matching the league’s average of 3.9 per game, and the numbers are expected to climb further at Elland Road on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the weekend’s action, Gonzalo García followed up a poacher’s finish against Chelsea with a spectacular solo goal in Fulham’s Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon. The £34 million Real Madrid acquisition will look to trouble Sunderland when they meet on Sunday. Sky Sports will broadcast five Premier League matches this weekend, beginning with Crystal Palace versus Manchester City on Friday night.
Saturday sees Tottenham host Newcastle, while Sunday offers a packed schedule: Chelsea versus Brighton, Leeds versus Brentford at 2 pm, and Sunderland versus Fulham kicking off simultaneously on Sky Sports+. Manchester United close the weekend with their clash against Ipswich at Old Trafford.
The weekend also features a Monday Night Football fixture, with Aston Villa taking on Arsenal at Villa Park on August 31. Fans can also try their luck in the Super 6 competition for a chance at a £1 million prize, with free entry available.