Man Utd divide fans with new ‘school playground’ free-kick routine days

MANCHESTER UNITED infuriated the supporters with a brand new free-kick in the schoolyard.

Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford last Monday to take over as team boss for the men from Erik ten Hag.

But with the Red Devils on international duty and the Premier League on pause, it was United's women's team that took center stage on Sunday.

And they did it with an outrageous tactic during their Women's Super League match against Leicester.

United were awarded an attacking free kick just outside the penalty area.

And as the taker prepared to try and find the top net to break the deadlock, Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig tried to put up her wall.

However, her plans were thwarted by a new approach to gamesmanship.

That's because two Manchester United players – Millie Turner and Elisabeth Terland – walked straight towards the goal.

They deliberately and obnoxiously blocked Leitzig's view and even raised their arms to cause further disruption and annoyance.

Once it was noticed, the referee moved to shoo the pair away, likely citing unsportsmanlike conduct as an explanation for forcing them to move.

They protested, probably claiming that they had not touched the goalkeeper.

But they did head back and sprint back into an offside position before the free-kick was taken, suggesting the move was purely intended to cause chaos for the goalkeeper setting up the wall.

Journalist Ian Stringer posted a video of the incident from King Power Stadium and asked: “What do we think about this? I haven't seen it in football before. Fair? Unsportsmanlike?”

And it sparked a wave of backlash against the underhanded, brutal tactics, with most condemning the 'appalling' and 'terrible' behavior of the United players.

One fan fumed: “Really shameful, no respectful coach would allow this at a professional level right? Schoolyard tactics.”

Another replied: “Embarrassing, unprofessional and unsportsmanlike.”

A third said: “If it had been my team who had done it I think I would have cringed a lot.”

A fourth wrote: “What shamelessness is that.”

A fifth added: “Nice idea but mmmmm.”

A sixth cheekily joked: “Manchester United have been poor lately so it's hilarious to use tactics like this against a mid-table rival! It would be worth it if they hit the target with a free stairs…”

And one end user tweeted: “Unsportsmanlike. The referee should have told them to pack it in the first time they did it,” implying this was a repeat antic during the WSL match.

United ultimately did not have 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 and expertly headed the ball back over the goal.

Celin Bizet then scored the points nine minutes from time when she took advantage of an undersized backpass.

And that saw the Red Devils cause Leicester even more misery as they recorded three wins over the Foxes in three weeks.

Ruud van Nistelrooy led the men to two victories over Steve Cooper's side in his short spell in charge, starting with the 5-2 Carabao Cup victory and with a 3-0 scoreline last Sunday.

But it seems highly unlikely that new boss Amorim will adopt the women's mischievous free-kick tactic any time soon.