Michael Carrick seems to bring in Man Utd ban after Arne Slot complaint

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot criticized set-piece tactics in the Premier League, and Manchester United appears to have followed suit under interim boss Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick has turned around the fortunes at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick seems to have shelved long throws despite their growing prominence across the Premier League.

The tactic has proven effective for several top-flight sides, with the likes of Arsenal and Brentford reaping the benefits. However, the approach hasn't won universal approval, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot among those voicing concerns about its increased use at the highest level. According to The Athletic, the Red Devils' set-piece threat has noticeably declined since the Englishman succeeded Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

Under the Portuguese coach, with open-play creativity limited, United netted 13 goals from set-pieces. Only Arsenal has surpassed United's dead-ball conversion rate (18), with five of those coming during Carrick's tenure, yet the frequency of attempts per match has dropped considerably under the former Middlesbrough manager.

Diogo Dalot was entrusted with the long-throw duties under Amorim, generating 13 attempts on goal, but since Carrick's appointment, the Red Devils have mustered just one.

While clubs throughout the Premier League embrace long throws for competitive advantage, United seems to be going against the grain — a trend which has frustrated rival boss Slot.

The Liverpool manager remarked: "If I watch other leagues, I do not see as much emphasis on set pieces. In the Eredivisie, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given, and I think, 'Wow, what a big difference.'

Harry Maguire scored from a set-piece at Anfield this season(Image: Getty Images)

"Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in the face, and the referee still says, 'Play on.' Do I like that? My heart as a former player does not like it.

"If you ask me, thinking about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday, you looked forward to watching them play.

"Most of the games I watch in the Premier League are not a pleasure for me, but they are interesting because they are very competitive."

Earlier in the season, Liverpool had one of the worst records defending set-pieces and suffered a loss to United, under Amorim's guidance, due to a Harry Maguire header from a free-kick.

However, under the stewardship of the ex-midfielder, United's fortunes have dramatically improved, with the team transitioning from outside the top four to a strong position for Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils are among the clubs seemingly determined to return to the elite European competition, with Liverpool and Chelsea currently outside the top four.

The 44-year-old has secured seven victories in his first 10 matches as caretaker manager of United, suffering just one defeat.

With seven fixtures remaining in the Premier League, United holds a six-point lead over fifth-placed Liverpool and is one point ahead of Aston Villa in fourth. The Red Devils will be back in action when they take on Leeds on April 13.