Interim Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick believes that the amount of grappling happening on set pieces in the Premier League has “gone too far”, but does not have a solution for the problem.
The issue has become a hot topic in football circles as top-flight teams have increasingly turned to set plays as a source of goals this season.
Players are engaging in ever more physicality inside the box during these phases of play, which has led to criticisms that the game is a worse spectacle to watch.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says the new trend has sucked the joy out of watching English football, while Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has called for stricter rules around set-pieces and criticised Arsenal for time-wasting.
Man Utd boss Carrick: Set-piece grappling has ‘gone too far’
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s trip to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United, Carrick said that it’s not surprising more teams are being more physical in such situations because the rules permit it.
“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 have got to play to it.”
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