Following Bruno Fernandes’ incredible free kick that opened the goal against Arsenal, CASEMIRO and Joshua Zirkzee are taking his glory.
The two have been praised for their astute placement, which prevented David Raya from seeing Fernandes’ attempt.
Raya left a clear gap in the wall before the free kick was taken.
The goal comes after a dispute over referee Anthony Taylor’s decision to position the wall 11.2 yards from the kick’s location instead of the ten yards required by the rules.
Fernandes had a better chance of getting his shot over the wall as a result.
Jamie Redknapp, a commentator for Sky Sports, added: “I want to explain why I think this is so hard to stop.
The striker of the ball must be given credit first, and then I want to examine Zirkzee and Casemiro.
…but Zirkzee and Casemiro filled it at the crucial moment
“What they do that’s extremely smart is…
“Raya, the keeper, has a nice gap, which is exactly what you want because you might be able to see it when he hits it.
“But see what Casemiro and Zirkzee do when he arrives to the ball. Thomas Partey is taken across.
“Suddenly, that space is closed, so Raya won’t be able to see the ball again until it has passed over the wall.
“With the trajectory and peak spin that he [Fernandes] has on it, you have no chance whatsoever of approaching it by then.
“That’s why it’s quite smart from whoever has devised that free kick.”
Coming at the end of a half in which United had been behind, the goal was vital.
However, Arsenal made amends by regaining the equalizer in the second half thanks to Declan Rice.
Fernandes has scored two goals from free kicks in his last three games thanks to the set piece.
Similar tactics were used by United for his goal against Everton two weeks ago, with Harry Maguire and Zirkzee purposefully placing themselves to obstruct Jordan Pickford’s view.
When the shot struck the bottom right corner, the England number one was rooted to the spot.
Fernandes had only scored one free kick in his previous 183 Premier League games prior to this run of goals.
At least Ruben Amorim has set piece routines on song, even though he may not have had much of an impact on the results column.