Welcome to The Radar, a Sky Sports column where Nick Wright blends statistics and opinion to illuminate the Premier League stories you need to know. In this season’s opening edition we cover three key points: - Manchester United’s persistent trouble defending corners - Ethan Ampadu’s increasingly lethal long throws - A player to keep an eye on this weekend Michael Carrick snapped back at critics who blamed Manchester United’s loss to Hull City on a lack of passion, pointing out that both Hull goals originated from set‑piece situations. This isn’t the first time United have struggled with defending dead‑ball situations, and the pattern is becoming worrying. Hull’s opening goal came when Semi Ajayi reacted quickest to a rebound and tucked the ball in at close range.
That strike marked the 12th corner that United have conceded since the start of last season – a tally that ties them with Leeds for the highest number of corner goals allowed among all current Premier League clubs over that period. Ajayi’s goal was quickly followed by a free‑kick from Nobel Mendy, and United later surrendered further corner goals against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest in the final two months of the previous campaign. While those goals didn’t cost United any points last season – they won each of those four matches and finished third in the league – the clips show just how effortlessly opponents can capitalize on United’s defensive frailties.
In the Hull game, Ajayi found space because Harry Maguire inexplicably held his own teammate Noussair Mazraoui, allowing the defender to drift into a dangerous area. Similarly, Maxence Lacroix, Ross Barkley and Morato were left virtually unmarked when they headed in goals for Palace, Villa and Forest respectively.
Hull’s head coach Sergej Jakirovic even highlighted United’s corner weakness in his post‑match press conference, noting that he and his video analyst had devised specific plans to exploit it. Carrick can, however, point to defensive improvement since taking over in January. United had let in 31 goals in 21 league games before his arrival last season, but have only conceded 20 in 18 matches under his stewardship.
The flip side is that United now rank third‑highest in the league for the proportion of goals they concede from set‑pieces since Carrick’s first game in charge – a statistic that underscores how serious the issue remains. On the attacking side, United have been prolific from dead‑ball situations. Their 26 set‑piece goals last term were second only to champions Arsenal, demonstrating that while they struggle to keep the ball out, they are equally adept at putting it in the net from corners and free‑kicks.
Until United can tighten up defensively in their own box, they risk another collapse like the Hull defeat. This weekend’s visitors, Ipswich Town, will be looking to take advantage of United’s vulnerability when they travel to Old Trafford on Sunday – the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
In a summer of high‑profile midfield signings across the Premier League, Leeds United may feel they have secured a coup by extending Ethan Ampadu’s contract through 2030. The 22‑year‑old, who captains the side, continues to thrive under manager Daniel Farke. Ampadu is praised by his coach as an exceptional leader and has been singled out by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher as one of his favourite midfielders. Operating as a deep‑lying playmaker and a ball‑winning destroyer in the No 6 role, he contributes both offensively and defensively.
Yet his most distinctive weapon is arguably his long throw. Since the start of last season, Ampadu has delivered 139 long throws into the opposition penalty area, placing him just behind Michael Kayode in total attempts.
In terms of shots generated from those throws, Ampadu is tied with Kayode at five, and he also shares the same number of goals (five) that have resulted directly from his long balls. The Welsh international added another long‑throw assisted goal in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Although the delivery was not his best – the ball floated in a looping arc toward the near post after slipping from his grip – Forest failed to clear the danger and James Justin bundled the ball home. Ampadu celebrated by turning toward the home supporters who had previously mocked his throw‑ins.
Ampadu admits that early in the season he faced criticism from Leeds fans, who claimed his throws were not truly long. He recalled 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 comments from teammate Brenden Aaronson, after two of Ampadu’s throws produced goals in a pre‑season friendly against Liverpool, described the improvement as "unbelievable" and claimed Ampadu was now throwing "about 20 yards further and 20 yards harder".
While Aaronson’s exaggeration adds colour, the data backs up the progress. Ampadu’s average throw distance has risen steadily from roughly 28 metres in February to about 32 metres now, putting him on par with specialist Michael Kayode. This increase reflects dedicated practice and technical refinement.
Leeds will hope to reap the rewards of Ampadu’s development as long throws become an increasingly important tactical trend. The opening round of fixtures this season featured 33 long throws, roughly matching last season’s average of 3.9 per game. Expect to see even more of these set‑piece weapons at Elland Road on Sunday. Elsewhere in the weekend’s action, Gonzalo Garcia, Fulham’s £34 million signing from Real Madrid, followed a poacher’s finish against Chelsea with a dazzling solo strike in the Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon.
He will be looking to trouble Sunderland when Fulham travel to the north on Sunday. Sky Sports will broadcast five Premier League matches this weekend, starting with Crystal Palace versus Manchester City on Friday night. Saturday’s lineup features Tottenham hosting 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 includes 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 to win £1 million – entry is free.