Welcome to The Radar, the Sky Sports column where Nick Wright blends 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 struggles defending corners - Ethan Ampadu’s increasingly lethal long throws - A player to keep an eye on this weekend Michael Carrick was quick to reject the claim that United’s loss to Hull City was simply a lack of passion, pointing out that both Hull goals originated from set‑piece situations. Unfortunately, defending dead‑ball scenarios has become a recurring weakness for the Red Devils. Hull’s opener came when Semi Ajayi pounced on a rebound and finished at close range.
That goal marked the twelfth corner that United have allowed since the start of last season – a tally that puts them level with Leeds for the joint‑highest number of corner concessions among all current Premier League clubs over that period. Ajayi’s strike was quickly followed by a free‑kick goal from Nobel Mendy, and United’s defensive frailties were further exposed by corner goals they later suffered against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest in the final two months of the previous campaign.
While those goals did not cost United any points last season – they won each of those four matches and secured a third‑place finish – the video replays make it clear how easily opponents have been able to exploit the Red Devils’ lack of organization in the box. In the Hull match, Ajayi found space because Harry Maguire inexplicably held his own teammate, Noussair Mazraoui, allowing the defender to drift into a dangerous position.
Similarly, Maxence Lacroix, Ross Barkley and Morato were all left virtually unmarked when they scored from corners for Palace, Villa and Forest respectively. This pattern was highlighted by Hull’s head coach Sergej Jakirović, who explained in his post‑match press conference that his staff had devised specific plans to take advantage of United’s corner‑defending weakness. Carrick can, however, point to some defensive progress since taking over in January.
United had conceded 31 goals in 21 Premier League games before his arrival last season, and that figure has dropped to 20 goals in 18 matches under his stewardship. The improvement is real, yet United still rank third‑highest in the league for the proportion of goals they concede from set‑pieces since Carrick’s first game in charge, underscoring that the problem remains significant. On the offensive side, United have been prolific from set‑pieces. Their 26 set‑piece goals last term were the second‑most in the Premier League, trailing only champions Arsenal.
The contrast between their attacking efficiency and defensive vulnerability makes the corner issue all the more puzzling. If United cannot tighten up at the far post and stop conceding from corners and free‑kicks, they risk another collapse like the one they suffered against Hull.
Their upcoming Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Sunday – broadcast live on Sky Sports – could provide another test of whether they have remedied this flaw. Turning to the other headline story, Leeds United appear to have secured a strategic coup by extending Ethan Ampadu’s contract through 2030. The 22‑year‑old captain has flourished under manager Daniel Farke, earning praise as a leader on and off the pitch. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher has even named him one of his favourite midfielders, noting his versatility as both a deep‑lying playmaker and a ball‑winning destroyer.
Ampadu’s most distinctive weapon, however, is his long throw. Since the beginning of last season he has delivered 139 long throws into the opposition box, a figure that places him just behind 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 them. The Welshman’s long‑throw prowess was on display during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Although the throw that led to James Justin’s goal was not his cleanest – the ball looped toward the near post after slipping from his hands – Forest’s failure to clear the danger area allowed the ball to be bundled home. Ampadu celebrated the moment by turning to the home crowd, which had previously mocked his technique. Ampadu admits that his early attempts at long throws were met with scepticism from Leeds supporters.
In February he recalled, “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 teammates have observed a marked improvement. After two of Ampadu’s throws resulted in goals during pre‑season matches against Liverpool, fellow midfielder Brenden Aaronson described the evolution as "unbelievable," adding that Ampadu had begun launching the ball about 20 yards farther and with 20 yards more power. While Aaronson’s figures are hyperbolic, the data tells a clear story: Ampadu’s average throw distance has risen steadily from roughly 28 metres in February to around 32 metres today, putting him on par with specialist thrower Kayode.
Leeds will hope to reap the tactical dividends of this development as long throws continue to shape the modern game. The opening round of fixtures this season featured 33 long throws, roughly matching last season’s record average of 3.9 per match. Fans can expect even more of these set‑piece weapons to appear at Elland Road on Sunday. In other news, Fulham’s newcomer Gonzalo García has already made an impact, following a poacher’s finish against Chelsea with a solo strike in the Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon.
The £34 million Real Madrid acquisition will look to trouble Sunderland when the two sides meet on Sunday. Sky Sports will broadcast five Premier League games this weekend, starting with Crystal Palace versus Manchester City on Friday night. Saturday’s action features Tottenham hosting Newcastle, while Sunday’s packed schedule includes Chelsea versus Brighton, Leeds versus Brentford at 2 pm, and a simultaneous Sunderland‑Fulham clash on Sky Sports+.
Manchester United close the weekend with their match against Ipswich at Old Trafford. Looking ahead, the Monday Night Football fixture pits Aston Villa against Arsenal at Villa Park on August 31. And for those seeking extra excitement, the Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million – entry is free.
Overall, United must address their corner‑defending deficiencies if they hope to compete for the title, while Ampadu’s evolving long‑throw skill provides Leeds with a unique tactical edge that could prove decisive in tight matches. Both narratives underscore how set‑piece mastery – both defensive and offensive – remains a crucial factor in the Premier League’s ever‑evolving tactical landscape.