Carrick's Corner Magic: How Set Pieces Turned Man United into Goal Machines

Imagine strolling into Old Trafford these days and seeing Manchester United firing on all cylinders. Gone are the dark days under Ruben Amorim, when results were as rare as a quiet night in the pub. Now, with Michael Carrick at the helm as caretaker, the Red Devils are purring, sat pretty in third in the Premier League, just three points above Aston Villa and seven behind Man City.

Carrick's lost only one of his nine games in charge – that's seven wins, lads. They've morphed into this free-scoring outfit, knocking on the door with open-play chances. But here's the real gem: their set-piece game is sharper than a tack, with only Arsenal bagging more dead-ball goals this season.

The Set-Piece Sorcerer: Jonny Evans Takes Charge

Against Villa last weekend, it was a classic – Casemiro rising like a salmon to head home Bruno Fernandes' pinpoint corner. Pure poetry. Carrick's not shy about crediting the brains behind it: Jonny Evans, the veteran defender who's turned into United's set-piece whisperer.

Speaking to club media, Carrick dished the dirt on their edge. "It's more crucial than ever," he said, noting how these moments swing games. It's a team effort, blending coaching nous with player instincts. Evans cooks up the routines, tailoring them to what the lads fancy – think Bruno's whipped deliveries, Casemiro and Harry Maguire attacking the ball like it's personal.

Carrick emphasised the collaboration: mixed decisions that suit everyone. "They've got to execute it," he added, praising Evans' close work with the squad. Result? Goals flying in. No wonder United's transformed from also-rans to contenders.

It's not just fluke. Set pieces have always mattered, but under Carrick, they've become a weapon. While rivals scramble, United's reaping the rewards – that Villa opener was textbook, and it's happened time and again.

Break Time and Building Back

Next up, a tasty clash with Bournemouth on Friday night, kicking off at 8pm. Win there, and the momentum builds. But then? A whopping 24-day break from first-team action. Sounds lush, right? Carrick sees it as gold for the squad.

Players like Mason Mount, fresh off injury, can rack up minutes. Lisandro Martinez gets a chance to shake off rust and reintegrate. "It's a window to build sharpness," Carrick noted. The team's been solid on fitness, but staying strong is key.

This breather could sharpen the blade further. With set pieces humming and attackers clicking, United might just gatecrash the top-two party. Carrick's steady hand has fans dreaming – could this caretaker gig turn permanent?

As reported by The Peoples Person via OneFootball, this set-piece surge is no accident. It's meticulous prep paying dividends. While City's cruising and Arsenal's lethal from dead balls too, United's found their groove. Pub talk's buzzing: is this the real deal, or just a caretaker's honeymoon?

One thing's sure – with Evans plotting and Carrick calling shots, corners are cornering the market on glory. Cheers to that.