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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Casey Evans

Manchester United and Harry Maguire go back to basics to end embarrassing Premier League run

Manchester United finally scored their first corner goal of the season against Leeds United on Sunday, bringing to an end their embarrassing run from set-pieces.

But just why did this corner go in after more than 140 had failed. Firstly, the cross from Luke Shaw beat the first man, although there was a lot more to it than just that.

We'vedecided to break down the now famous (or infamous) goal into three acts, with a little help from Wyscout, to show just how United broke their duck and finally got the better of their opponents from a corner.

Act I: The Setup

Manchester United setup ready for the corner ((Image by Wyscout))

How a team approaches a corner is always important. For United, it has been all over the place all season, but against Leeds, it seems there was a clear idea in mind.

England's approach to corners in the 2018 World Cup was affectionately referred to as the shopping queue, as all of their aerial targets would line or group up at the edge of the box as they waited for the ball to be delivered.

It was highly effective and has been commonplace for the national team. It seems that United took a leaf out of their book.

Manchester United's aerial threats adopted a similar starting position to how England set up theirs. ((Image by Wyscout))

The main difference between the image for England and United is Leeds set up to counter from the corner, so United stationed players to try and stop the team from being caught out.

However, placing so many players outside the box meant that there was a lot more space for United's three aerial threats of Maguire, Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo to operate in.

Act II: The Twist

All the pieces start to move. ((Image by Wyscout))

If corners were as simple were just finding someone in the box, United would score one every week. You can prepare for the scenario you think is going to happen all you want, but a lot of the work is done while the ball is in the air.

The movement from Victor Lindelof, Pogba and Ronaldo was vital for the execution of this chance and the resulting goal.

Pogba and Ronaldo started as part of the core aerial group, but as the corner came in they both ran in different directions toward the net, drawing opponents away from being able to defend the area as a group and leaving all three United attackers up against a single marker.

Victor Lindelof did a very good thing. ((Image by Wyscout))

However, a piece of movement that might go under the radar is that of Lindelof. Starting on Leeds near post, as the ball goes in he darts away towards the centre of the box, tricking the two defenders with him into thinking that the plan is to flick the ball on. This leaves Leeds' goal unguarded bar Illan Meslier, who now has a whole goal to defend, rather than just one side.

Act III: The Prestige

And Harry Maguire has scored it. ((Image by Wyscout))

Every good magic trick ends by showing the audience something they wouldn't believe. For United that was a goal from a corner.

Facing his man one-on-one thanks to his teammates, Maguire was able to get the better of his marker and connect cleanly with the inswinging corner from Shaw.

With the whole goal to aim at, it seemed certain he would score, but this is United and 140-plus corners without success does do something to your confidence.

Celebrate in front of Leeds the only way you know how. ((Image by Wyscout))

Maguire defied the odds and scored, ending months of torment. To make it even better, he did it at the expense of United's old enemy Leeds, before knee-sliding towards a hostile crowd.

Hopefully, now that United have one corner goal, a glut will follow but the fanbase. There can be a little more expectation and excitement next time Shaw or Bruno Fernandes walk towards the flag.

How long do you think Manchester United will have to wait for another corner goal? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.

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