Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' analytical column where Nick Wright mixes statistics with sharp commentary to highlight the Premier League stories you need to know. In this first edition of the season we focus on three key points: - Manchester United’s vulnerability when defending corners - Ethan Ampadu’s increasingly potent long throws - A player worth keeping an eye on this weekend Michael Carrick was quick to reject the notion that United’s 2-0 loss to Hull City was simply a lack of passion. He reminded everyone that both goals stemmed from set‑piece situations, underscoring a problem that has haunted the club for months. Defending dead balls has become a recurring weakness for the Red Devils.
Hull’s opener came from a rebound that Semi Ajayi slotted home at close range. That goal marked United’s twelfth concession from a corner since the beginning of last season – a figure that ties them with Leeds for the highest total among current Premier League sides over the same period. Ajayi’s strike was quickly followed by a free‑kick goal from Nobel Mendy, and United later allowed corner goals against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest in the final two months of the previous campaign. Last season those set‑piece goals did not cost United any points; they still won all four matches and secured a third‑place finish.
Yet watching the footage now, the ease with which opponents found space is unsettling. In the Hull game, for instance, Ajayi slipped through a defensive wall while Harry Maguire inexplicably tangled with his own teammate Noussair Mazraoui. Similar lapses were evident when Maxence Lacroix, Ross Barkley and Morato scored unchallenged for Palace, Villa and Forest respectively. Hull’s head coach Sergej Jakirovic even highlighted United’s corner frailty in his post‑match press conference, noting that his staff had prepared specific plans to exploit the Red Devils’ defensive set‑piece routine.
Carrick can point to some defensive improvement since taking over in January. United allowed 31 goals in 21 league games before his arrival last season, and that figure has dropped to 20 goals in 18 matches under his stewardship.
However, the club now ranks third in the league for the proportion of goals conceded from set‑pieces since Carrick’s first game in charge, a statistic that emphasizes how persistent the issue remains. On the offensive side, United have been prolific from dead‑ball situations. Their 26 set‑piece goals last term placed them second only to champions Arsenal across the Premier League. The contrast between a potent attacking set‑piece unit and a leaky defensive one creates a paradox that United must resolve before the next high‑profile opponent arrives.
Ipswich Town, who travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, will be looking to add their name to the growing list of teams that have benefited from United’s corner woes. While United grapple with their own defensive set‑pieces, Leeds United have secured a different kind of weapon in the summer market. The club locked down Ethan Ampadu on a new contract that runs until 2030, a deal that many observers view as a coup for a side that has been rebuilding under Daniel Farke. Ampadu, praised by his manager as an exceptional leader and lauded by former England defender Jamie Carragher as one of his favourite midfielders, excels in the No 6 role.
He blends the attributes of a deep‑lying playmaker with those of a ball‑winning destroyer, contributing both creatively and defensively. Yet his most distinctive asset may be his long throw‑in. Since the start of last season, Ampadu has delivered 139 long throws into the opposition box, a tally that puts him behind only Michael Kayode in the league. In terms of shots generated from those throws, Ampadu is tied with Kayode at five, and he also shares the same number of goals scored from the set‑piece.
A recent example came in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Ampadu’s throw was not his most precise – the ball floated in a looping arc toward the near post after slipping from his grip – but Forest failed to clear it and James Justin bundled the ball home. The goal sparked a jubilant celebration from Ampadu, who turned to the home crowd that had previously mocked his long‑throw technique.
Ampadu admits that his early attempts this season attracted criticism from Leeds supporters. In February he said, “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.” His teammate Brenden Aaronson later observed that Ampadu’s throws had become “unbelievable,” noting that the Welshman was now delivering the ball about 20 yards farther and with 20 yards more power than before.
While Aaronson’s description may be a touch hyperbolic, the data backs up the improvement. A recent graph shows Ampadu’s average throw distance climbing steadily from roughly 28 metres in February to about 32 metres now – a range that rivals specialist throw‑in man Michael Kayode.
Leeds will hope to capitalize on this evolving weapon as long throws continue to shape tactical trends across the league. The opening round of fixtures featured 33 long throws, aligning closely with last season’s average of 3.9 per game.
Expect the frequency to rise further when Leeds host Brentford at Elland Road on Sunday. In other news, Gonzalo García, Fulham’s £34 million acquisition from Real Madrid, followed up a poacher’s finish against Chelsea with a dazzling solo effort in the Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon. García will look to trouble Sunderland when Fulham travel to the north on Sunday.
Sky Sports will broadcast five Premier League matches this weekend, beginning with Crystal Palace versus Manchester City on Friday night. Saturday’s action includes Tottenham hosting Newcastle, while Sunday offers a packed schedule: Chelsea versus Brighton, Leeds versus Brentford, and Sunderland versus Fulham, all live on Sky Sports+.
Manchester United close the weekend with their clash against Ipswich at Old Trafford. Looking ahead, Monday Night Football will feature Aston Villa hosting 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, with free entry available now.