Manchester United have started focusing on long throw-ins under set-piece specialist Carlos Fernandes, but to truly make the tactic effective, they may need a player capable of delivering precise throws into the box.

Ruben Amorim wasn’t the only new coach at Old Trafford to face early challenges following his arrival in November.

While the head coach has taken much of the spotlight, his assistant, Carlos Fernandes, also experienced intense scrutiny.

Amorim assigned Fernandes the responsibility for set-pieces, continuing a long-standing collaboration that began when they worked together at Casa Pia.

However, when United started conceding goals from corners and free-kicks, Fernandes faced criticism, especially after taking over set-piece duties from Andreas Georgson.

Early Pressure on Fernandes

After a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford in December, where United were once again exposed at set-pieces, Amorim had to step in to defend his 30-year-old assistant.

“The responsibility of everything is me, is not Carlos, it’s on me,” Amorim said. “We are a team, we are a team in good moments and bad moments.

“We have a way of doing things, we are working on that and we are going to improve on that also but we didn’t lose because of set pieces.”

At the time, Fernandes was under significant pressure. Whenever United had an attacking or defensive set-piece, he would step into the technical area, ensuring the team was properly positioned.

United’s Improvement at Set-Pieces

Just as Amorim has seen the pressure ease in recent weeks, so has Fernandes. United have tightened up defensively from set-pieces and started to pose a greater attacking threat.

Their victory over Ipswich was decided entirely by set-pieces, while their FA Cup win against Leicester City also came from a well-worked free-kick.

This improvement has allowed Fernandes to expand United’s tactical approach. While free-kick and corner routines remain fairly standard, it is now evident that throw-ins are becoming a major focus in training.

Fernandes has been actively stepping into the technical area whenever United have an attacking throw-in.

Although United are not yet using long throws at every opportunity, they have been developing the tactic.

When the signal is given, Diogo Dalot takes possession of the ball and prepares for a long throw, while central defenders move forward as the primary aerial threats.

This approach makes sense when fielding three central defenders, especially with dominant aerial players like Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, and Leny Yoro.

While it has yet to result in a goal, it is clear that United are willing to use a more direct approach a rarity among clubs in the Premier League’s traditional ‘big six’.

Most technically inclined teams prefer to keep the ball on the ground. When Liverpool employed Thomas Gronnemark as a throw-in coach, the emphasis was on creating space and switching play rather than launching the ball into the box.

The Need for a Specialist Long-Throw Player

Fernandes, however, appears eager for United to become more direct and dangerous from throw-ins.

One area that needs improvement is the quality of the delivery. While Dalot is developing his ability to throw the ball longer distances, he is still new to the skill.

United currently lack a player capable of consistently delivering deep throws into the six-yard box the key factor in making long throws a genuine attacking threat.

This raises the question of whether long throw-ins could become a consideration in United’s summer transfer plans.

While they won’t sign a player solely for their ability to take throw-ins, Amorim is expected to target a new wing-back, and it could be an added bonus if the player has experience with long throws.

If they do, don’t be surprised to see United incorporate this tactic into their attacking play for the 2025/26 season.

Southampton defender Jan Bednarek has suffered an injury scare, adding to concerns over Taylor Harwood-Bellis, after a collision while representing Poland.

International Break Woes for Southampton

Typically, the international break can be a frustrating time for club football fans. Unless major tournaments are underway, international fixtures rarely bring much excitement.

However, given the way Southampton’s domestic season has unfolded, fans may have welcomed the brief break from the pressures of club football. A chance to relax and take a step back from the Saints’ intense campaign or so they thought.

Instead, the break has only added to Ivan Jurić’s concerns. Just as news of Harwood-Bellis’s injury had shaken Southampton supporters, a fresh worry has now emerged regarding his defensive partner.

Bednarek Injured While Playing for Poland

According to TVP Sport, Bednarek was forced off during Poland’s match against Malta after suffering a collision that resulted in bleeding.

Initially, there was hope that he could return for the second half, but that did not happen, and he was ruled out for the remainder of the match.

Providing an update after the game, Poland head coach Michał Probierz said:

“Bednarek was still bleeding from the nose after the hit with the opponent. We decided that there was no point in him playing, but the whole thing is not serious.”

As is standard procedure, Southampton’s medical staff will conduct their own assessment to determine the extent of Bednarek’s injury.

While Probierz’s reassurance offers some optimism, the club will want to verify his condition before making any conclusions.

Thankfully, the injury does not appear to be serious, and his substitution was likely a precautionary measure rather than an indication of a long-term issue.

Southampton fans will now wait for further updates as the club evaluates Bednarek’s fitness.

Bayern Munich will be without Alphonso Davies for “several months” after the 24-year-old suffered a torn ACL while representing Canada on international duty.

Davies was forced off the pitch just 12 minutes into Canada’s 2-1 win over the United States in the Concacaf Nations League third-place match.

This devastating injury means he will miss the rest of the season, including Bayern Munich’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Inter Milan a match set to be broadcast live on discovery+.

Bayern Munich have confirmed that Davies will require surgery and a lengthy recovery process.

The club’s board member for sport, Max Eberl, expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the challenges of international duty.

“Unfortunately, there’s always the risk of players returning from international breaks with injuries – this time we’ve been hit particularly hard,” Eberl said.

Despite the setback, Eberl remains optimistic about Bayern’s squad depth.

“Phonzy [Davies] will get all the support he needs on his road to recovery. We have a strong squad and will compensate for these absences. We’ll now grow even closer together. The quality is there to continue pursuing our big goals.”

Bayern will also be without Dayot Upamecano “for the coming weeks” after the 26-year-old suffered an injury during France’s penalty shootout victory over Croatia in the Nations League semi-finals.

A Huge Loss for Bayern

Davies had only recently returned from a hamstring injury before this latest setback. His absence will be a major blow for Vincent Kompany, as the first-choice left-back plays a crucial role in Bayern’s attacking system.

Bayern remain firmly in control at the top of the Bundesliga but are eager to secure their first Champions League title since the 2019/20 season.

After a dominant 5-0 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16, they will now face Inter Milan in the quarter-finals.

The first leg will take place at home on April 8, broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.