To say Manchester United's opposition is more likely to score off a counter-attack from one of their corners than they are to score themselves is not an understatement; it's a fact.
United have taken over 100 corners just in the Premier League so far this season and have not scored a single goal and sit alone at the bottom of the table in this statistic.
This is made even more embarrassing when you remember that United acquired the services of Eric Ramsey in the summer. He was signed from Chelsea's u18 squad to be the team's set-piece coach, and of course, you can probably figure out how successful that appointment has been.
But you can not wholly put the blame on the shoulders of Ramsey as United last scored from a corner against Sheffield United in January of 2021.
United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick was recently asked about United ineffectiveness from corners, and he said: "In the end, this is a question of training time but is also a question of deliveries.
"And this is really a little bit weird, to be honest, because we have players who should be technically able to deliver the balls in the right way.
"But we still have to work on that and we still need to improve in those areas. At least we scored a goal after a free-kick against Villa. The first goal at Villa Park was after a free-kick, but I fully agree we haven't conceded as yet in the last weeks and months but we should also be more dangerous and more effective on set-pieces ourselves."
In an interview with Coaches' Voice before his appointment at Old Trafford, the German said: "30% of all goals are scored either on or straight after a set-piece, so, as coaches, you need to be alert to that, and as 30% of all goals are scored in this manner, I commit 30% of my training to set-pieces."
So it is clear that Rangnick wants to improve in this regard, but maybe the solution lies internally.
While the men's team has struggled to score from set-pieces, the women's team has been thriving. They have scored six goals from corners in the Women's Super League, more than any other team in the division, showing that it can be done even if you are wearing a United shirt.
The difference is clear, and Rangnick has already stated the issue in the delivery of the ball. Against Middlesbrough, several different tactics were tried by United off corners, with Luke Shaw sometimes whipping them to the far-post and others to the near-post with a few being played short to Jadon Sancho.
But while Shaw's delivery was arguably much better than Alex Telles and Bruno Fernandes' have been in the past few weeks, United looked no closer to scoring. Without the threat of these scenarios, United may struggle to make the top four if they do not figure out a way to create chances from set-piece opportunities.
Overall it's just another thing that Rangnick needs to add to his checklist to solve for the new manager before they join in the summer.
Do you think Manchester United will score from set-piece soon? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comment section below.
