Amorim raises corner kick level, MU leads Premier League
Ruben Amorim's MU turned corner kicks into weapons: 14.3 goals/100 kicks highest in the league, xG 7.1/100 kicks second. Bruno and Mbeumo curled kicks into the far post area.
A simple corner, the ball curled into the middle and far post, Matthijs de Ligt rose to head the equalizer in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Having struggled with corners for years, Manchester United under Ruben Amorim are turning their weakness into a steady source of goals in the 2025-26 Premier League.
Leading performance and the contrasting picture
In terms of attack, MU are among the most efficient in the league. They score 14.3 goals per 100 attacking corners – the highest rate in the Premier League this season. The expected goal index from corners is 7.1 xG/100, ranked second in the league. On the contrary, the defense is still not stable: on average, they concede 7.1 goals per 100 defensive corners, the fifth worst this season.
| Index | Value | Position in the tournament |
|---|---|---|
| Goals/100 attacking corners | 14.3 | Highest |
| xG from corners/100 corners | 7.1 | Monday |
| Goals conceded/100 defensive corners | 7.1 | Fifth worst |
Corner kick strategy analysis: simple, on point
The arrival of Bryan Mbeumo has significantly improved the quality of MU's corner kicks. Amorim has standardized the way of taking them: curling the ball inwards, aiming at the middle and far post within 5m50. Bruno Fernandes takes care of the left kicks, Mbeumo from the right. The kicks are at the right "drop point" to facilitate the aerial group.
The human frame: targets, blockers and space
MU's main attack focuses on the far post with three central defenders as the core. When Harry Maguire is present, he is often the main target; Matthijs de Ligt supports or covers the goalkeeper; Luke Shaw blocks a defender defending in the area. The clear division of roles helps MU control important spaces and isolate the advantageous match.
Three key examples: Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur
Against Fulham: isolated centre-back and Leny Yoro's header
In the 1-1 draw with Fulham, MU deployed Leny Yoro, De Ligt and Shaw with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko at the far post. Fulham defended zonally, with only Sasa Lukic following De Ligt. Thanks to De Ligt and Shaw covering, MU isolated Yoro from Calvin Bassey. Result: Yoro headed the ball to score after the ball touched the opponent.
Against Nottingham Forest: space for Casemiro
In the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, United continued to take advantage of this tactic. De Ligt and Shaw were tasked with blocking people, creating space for Casemiro to cut in and head home from Fernandes' free kick.
Confrontation with Tottenham Hotspur: De Ligt changes roles, Mount blocks goalkeeper
When Maguire left the pitch in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, De Ligt switched from shield to target. Mason Mount took on the role of blocking the goalkeeper, and the synchronized movement allowed De Ligt to escape his marker to head in the equaliser for United.
Statistics pop up under Amorim
The goal was United’s sixth from a corner in the Premier League this season, just one short of their best tally since 2018-19. Remarkably, their current xG from corners (7.1/100) is double that of any season in the last seven years. While the defence still needs to improve from dead-ball situations, the improvement in attack is clear.
Mbeumo fragment and Amorim structure
Mbeumo provides quality crosses and a steady tempo; the rest of the players are disciplined in their destinations and roles. Amorim doesn’t chase complexity: United prefer simple, repetitive, precise plays. From positioning, covering the goalkeeper, to positioning the target, everything is drilled to create an advantage in the far post.
In a league that increasingly favours dead ball play, United have found their groove. Corners, once a nightmare, have become a familiar attacking solution under Ruben Amorim – a transformation that would have been unthinkable seven years ago.
