MANCHESTER UNITED infuriated supporters with a brand-new “school playground” free-kick routine.
Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford to take over from Erik ten Hag as the men’s team boss last Monday.
However, with the Red Devils on international duty and the Premier League on pause, it was United’s women’s team who took centre stage on Sunday.
And they did so with an outrageous tactic during their Women’s Super League clash away at Leicester.
United had an attacking free-kick just outside the penalty area.
And while the taker prepared to try and find the top net to break the deadlock, the Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig attempted to set up her wall.
However, her plans were thwarted by a novel approach to gamesmanship.
That is because two Manchester United players – Millie Turner and Elisabeth Terland – walked right up to the goal.
They deliberately and obnoxiously blocked Leitzig’s view, even putting their arms up to cause further disruption and annoyance.
Once it was spotted, the referee went over to urge the pair away – likely citing unsportsmanlike conduct as the explanation for forcing them to move.
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They protested, probably claiming they were not touching the goalkeeper.
But they did head back, sprinting back into an onside position before the free-kick was taken, suggesting the move was purely to cause chaos for the goalkeeper setting up the wall.
Journalist Ian Stringer posted a video of the incident from the King Power Stadium and asked: “What do we think to this? I haven’t seen it in football before. Fair? Unsporting?”
And it prompted a wave of responses piling in on the underhand, cheeky tactics – with most slamming the United players’ “terrible” and “dreadful” behaviour.
One fan fumed: “Embarrassing really, no respecting coach would allow this at a professional level surely? School playground tactics.”
Another replied: “Embarrassing, unprofessional and unsporting.”
A third said: “If it had been my team doing it I think I’d have cringed quite a lot.”
A fourth wrote: “What kind of shamelessness is that.”
A fifth added: “Nice idea but mmmmm.”
Man Utd ratings v Leicester
Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the Red Devils.
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Stood tall when Ndidi went through on goal and a decent tip round the post from Ayew as Leicester tried to get back in it.
NOUSSAIR MAZROUAI – 6
Lucky to escape tackle on Buonanotte without any punishment. Supplied the cross from the left which led to United’s second goal.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Made a key second half clearance when the Foxes were trying to find their way back into the game. Fairly comfortable afternoon for home defenders.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Spent the first hour at centre half then showed his versatility by switching to left-back when Dalot was forced off.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Did a steady job keeping the Foxes at bay but then taken off on the hour – presumably due to injury as United had to reshuffle their defence.
CASEMIRO – 7
Better from the veteran Brazilian who helped United take command of the game before getting the chance to put his feet up late on.
MANUEL UGARTE – 6
Great challenge on Soumare showed what he is all about and some signs he is finding his feet. Will be looking forward to arrival of former boss Amorim.
AMAD DIALLO – 7
Delightful backheel for Fernandes to curl home the opener and could have scored himself. The Ivorian has had a good week.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
Presented with a shirt to mark his 250th appearance before the game and will be getting more plaudits for his performance here. Involved in all three goals.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 5
Given the nod to start ahead of Garnacho but did not do enough to justify the faith of Van Nistelrooy. No surprise when he was replaced by the Argentine on the hour.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 5
A largely ineffective afternoon for the Danish forward before he was subbed late on. Nothing wrong with his work-rate but does he have the quality Amorim will want?
A sixth cheekily quipped: “Manchester United have been poor recently so resorting to these sorts of tactics against a mid-table rival is hilarious! It would be worth it if they hit the target with a free-kick…”
And a final user tweeted: “Unsporting. Ref should’ve told them to pack it in the first time they did it,” implying this was a repeated antic in the WSL clash.
United, in the end, did not need to resort to the questionable and controversial moves as they ran out 2-0 winners.
Terland cleverly headed in the opener just before half-time, redirecting the ball back across goal expertly.
Then Celin Bizet wrapped up the points nine minutes from time when she capitalised on an underhit backpass.
And that ensured the Red Devils inflicted more misery on Leicester as they made it three wins over the Foxes inside three weeks.
Ruud van Nistelrooy led the men to two wins over Steve Cooper’s side in his brief interim spell in charge, starting with the 5-2 Carabao Cup victory and then bowing out with a 3-0 scoreline last Sunday.
But it seems very unlikely new boss Amorim will adopt the women’s naughty free-kick tactics any time soon.
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