Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick has criticised the increasing physicality in Premier League set pieces, stating that jostling and grappling in the box during corners has 'gone too far'. His comments come amid a season where goals from dead-ball situations have surged, with more set-piece goals scored so far in the 2025-26 campaign than in the entirety of last season.
Table-topping Arsenal have been at the forefront of this trend, scoring twice from corners in their 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the weekend. However, the tactic has drawn criticism from other managers, with Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler accusing Arsenal of time-wasting during corner deliveries and throw-ins, and Liverpool's Arne Slot suggesting that overreliance on set pieces has diminished the 'joy' in top-flight matches.
Speaking ahead of United's trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, Carrick said: 'I think it's gone too far. It wasn't long ago we were told you couldn't lay a hand on anyone in the box and we were told it would be clamped down. It's crept in, the success of corners and being able to put bodies close together has made more teams do it.' He added that while he understands why teams employ such tactics, the balance is not right, and in the meantime, teams must adapt to what is allowed.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab) has acknowledged the issue of grappling at corners, but director of football Ian Maxwell said it has not been specifically discussed. Ifab is set to introduce a five-second countdown for referees to enforce at throw-ins and goal-kicks to speed up play, but there are no plans to expand the rules to corners.
