Man United draw 1-1 with West Ham: corner kick weakness exposed.
Man United took the lead thanks to Diogo Dalot in the 58th minute, but Soungoutou Magassa equalized late in the game after a set piece. According to Opta, MU have conceded 15 goals from corner kicks since the start of last season.
Manchester United squandered a victory against West Ham at Old Trafford when Soungoutou Magassa equalized in the final minutes, securing a 1-1 draw. The biggest highlight wasn't Diogo Dalot's 58th-minute goal, but rather the continued weakness in set pieces – particularly from corners – which continued to drag MU down.
The Achilles' heel of death reappears.
United have scored nine goals from set pieces this season, but they are also frequently punished in the same way. According to Opta statistics, Man Utd have conceded 15 goals from corner kicks since the start of last season. This is a problem Ruben Amorim inherited and has yet to solve.
Only one team has conceded more goals than MU in this statistic: West Ham, with 17 goals conceded from corners since August 2024. Ironically, their upcoming opponent is the only team with a worse record in this category.
The events and the decisive moment
The first half was uneventful, with West Ham dominating possession but failing to make a difference. After the break, Manchester United took the lead thanks to a goal from Diogo Dalot in the 58th minute, seemingly enough to seal the match.
However, the visitors from London found an equalizer late in the game. Soungoutou Magassa finished from close range after a West Ham free kick – another set-piece that cost Old Trafford dearly.
The numbers are noteworthy.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | Manchester United 1-1 West Ham United |
| Goal scorer | Diogo Dalot 58'; Soungoutou Magassa at the end of the match |
| MU's fixed goalscoring goals this season | 9 tables |
| MU conceded a goal from a corner kick. | 15 goals since the start of last season (According to Opta) |
| The team conceded more goals from corner kicks. | West Ham, 17 goals since August 2024 |
Recent form and its impact on the league table.
Following a run of three consecutive wins from weeks 7 to 9 against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion, Man Utd have only won one of their last five matches – the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace last Sunday.
The 2-2 draws away at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur showed their effort, but the 0-1 defeat to Everton after the November international break brought MU back down to earth. Notably, four of their six Premier League wins have come at Old Trafford, yet MU have failed to win in their last two home games.
The result against West Ham keeps MU in 8th place, missing the opportunity to close the gap with Chelsea, who are in 4th place. The gap between the teams from 4th to 10th is only 3 points – a few wins could change the situation, but the prerequisite is to plug the gaps in set pieces.
The problem for Ruben Amorim
The problem isn't just the number of goals conceded, but also the timing: late goals squander the advantage MU had built. How Amorim handles set pieces – especially corners – will shape Manchester United's ability to break away in the European race as the new year approaches.
