Manchester United’s visit to Villa Park was unfortunately not a fruitful one.
Despite delivering one of their best displays under new boss Ralf Ragnick, United crumbled in the final 15 minutes of the game and gave up a 2-goal advantage.
The Red Devils dropped 2 crucial points on the road, halting their top 4 pursuits for the time being.
While United’s woes can be pinned down to many aspects such as a leaky defence, a lacklustre attack and an absence of leadership, another reason which often flies under the radar is their conversion rate from set-pieces.
The game against Villa marked the 100th consecutive corner this season from which United have failed to score, an incredible albeit unfortunate stat.
Their previous goal from a set-piece came all the way back in April, furthering the bemusement.
Considering that last season United signed a separate set-piece coach, it’s unlikely that these routines aren’t worked upon on the training ground.
Nonetheless, their effectiveness is clearly open for questioning, and a change is evidently needed.
United remain the only team in the league this season to have still not converted from a set-piece, right below relegation candidates Norwich City who have managed 2.
Fans will feel that they have the personnel to convert from corners, the likes of Ronaldo and Cavani are more than capable of steering in headers.
Even United captain Harry Maguire has shown his aerial abilities during his International appearance for England.
The onus now falls on Ragnick and his coaching staff to rectify the situation.
After all, be it scoring from an intricate passing manoeuvre or from a header following a corner, they all count 1.
