Man United news: Pundit ‘very surprised’ after ’embarrassing’ Harry Maguire confession
The “strange” lack of set-piece success at Man United comes as a “real surprise”.
That is the view of former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider in the wake of the Whites’ 4-2 defeat against the Old Trafford club yesterday.
Harry Maguire rose highest to nod home the opener at Elland Road, marking the first league goal Man United have scored from a corner this season – and first since Maguire netted against Sheffield United 13 months ago.
Speaking post-match and quoted by the Manchester Evening News (20 January), the Red Devils captain claimed that stat is “embarrassing”.
Maguire insisted he and his teammates have been “nowhere near good enough” from set-piece situations.
Whelan expressed his surprise at Man United’s lack of success considering the aerial prowess within their ranks.
“Wow, they’ve got some real height in that box so that stat comes as a real surprise,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“What doesn’t surprise me is that Leeds were the team to concede that goal, our Achilles heel has been marking and set-pieces for a number of seasons now.
“Diego Llorente got himself all tangled up and Maguire just got a run on him – and that’s very difficult to stop.
“It’s very surprising that it’s the first one, however. They’ve got the likes of Varane, Maguire, McTominay, Rashford, Ronaldo all in the box.
“The quality of set-piece taker is very high as well, so that’s really strange.”
Man United remain fourth after yesterday’s win and have built a four-point buffer to fifth-place West Ham.
Ralf Rangnick’s side now face a trip to the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
In other news, former Premier League referee claims Red Devils star should be banned as controversial Man United footage analysed.