Michael Carrick says the physical battles at set-pieces in the Premier League have “gone too far”, adding to the growing debate around grappling and jostling inside the penalty area.
An increase in goals from dead-ball situations has been a defining feature of the 2025-26 season, with more set-piece goals already scored than in the entirety of the previous campaign.
Arsenal have been central to that trend and added two more from corners in their 2-1 win over Chelsea at the weekend.
But the rise has sparked concern in some quarters. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler accused Arsenal of time-wasting at corners and throw-ins, while Arne Slot suggested an overreliance on set-pieces has reduced the “joy” of top-flight matches.
Speaking ahead of United’s trip to Newcastle, Carrick said the balance has shifted too far.
“I think it’s gone too far,” he said. “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.
“It’s understandable why there are so many teams doing it and trying it. As a game, it doesn’t feel like we’ve got that balance right. I don’t know what to do about it, it’s not for me to decide.
“In the meantime, you got to deal with what’s in front of you, and if it’s allowed, then you got to play to it.”
Ian Maxwell of the International Football Association Board recently acknowledged the issue of grappling at corners but said it has not been formally discussed. Ifab plans to introduce a five-second countdown for referees to enforce at throw-ins and goal-kicks when players take too long, though there are no proposals to extend that to corners at this stage.
