Manchester United’s Defence: Low xG Conceded but High Frustration

Since Ruben Amorim’s arrival, Manchester United have shown significant improvement in restricting opponents to low xG from open play, emphasising their progress defensively. Over the last five games, the team has conceded minimal xG in open play: Arsenal (0.56), Nottingham Forest (0.54), Viktoria Plzen (0.78), Manchester City (0.36), and Tottenham Hotspur (0.30). These figures reflect a side that is far more disciplined and compact off the ball.

Amorim’s structured mid-to-low block has been particularly effective, with players occupying key zones and plugging gaps that previously left the team vulnerable. While the high press remains a work in progress, United’s shape without the ball has become more robust, frustrating opponents and forcing low-percentage opportunities. 

However, despite these defensive improvements, United continue to concede goals, primarily through individual errors and vulnerability at set pieces. Concentration lapses and poor marking have undermined their otherwise solid performances, preventing them from capitalising on their newfound solidity in open play. The 2-0 defeat away to Arsenal in early December saw both goals conceded from corners and just three days later, Nottingham Forest also punished United from a set piece. Both goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have made mistakes leading to goals and Lisandro Martinez seems more vulnerable in recent games with his weaknesses exploited. 

According to Opta United have now conceded 7 goals from set-pieces in the Premier League and have conceded a greater proportion goals from set-pieces (50%) than any other team. Manchester United are also 5th in the Premier League for ‘Errors Leading to Goals’ with 6. 

While Amorim’s influence has laid a foundation for defensive reliability, addressing these costly mistakes will be crucial if United are to consistently translate low xG conceded into clean sheets and better results. The good news is, these areas can be fixed by coaching and more time on the training pitch. Ruben Amorim’s assistant, Carlos Fernandes, is allegedly now in charge of United's set-piece defending despite the club hiring former Lillestrom coach Andreas Georgson in the summer as a set-piece coach. Set-pieces remain a problem for United but it is clearly an area they are now placing an emphasis on improving. Despite results, the early signs are promising and whilst the team has clearly made strides in shoring up their defence in open play, eliminating costly set-piece vulnerabilities and individual mistakes remains the next crucial step in their evolution under Ruben Amorim.