SET PIECES STILL UNITED'S BANE

They slump 3-0 to Cherries at home; Rashford left out for third straight game

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LONDON - Manchester United continued their woeful record of defending set pieces as they were well beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford in the English Premier League on Dec 22.

After Tyrell Malacia was adjudged to have fouled Adam Smith near the touchline, Dean Huijsen beat Joshua Zirkzee to head home Ryan Christie's cross past Andre Onana in the 29th minute.

In United's last six matches, they have conceded set-piece goals in all but one of them, a 2-1 Europa League win away to Viktoria Plzen.

In the Premier League, they have already conceded nine set-piece goals excluding penalties, the second-worst record after Wolverhampton Wanderers (16), who have the worst defensive record in the competition.

But the problem predates new manager Ruben Amorim or even the 2024-25 campaign. In 2024, the Red Devils have conceded 17 goals from non-penalty set pieces in the Premier League, the most in a calendar year in the competition's history.

Defender Lisandro Martinez told the BBC: "We are so angry with this kind of situation. We have to work on set pieces especially. I believe a lot in this team and staff. If they don't score their first goal from set pieces then it is a totally different game."