Oxford United should target Leeds United transfer - he would add to an already strong area | OneFootball

Sam Greenwood should be on Oxford United's radar after proving to be a set-piece specialist.

Oxford United should have current Leeds United forward Sam Greenwood on their radar as set-pieces prove to be a profitable area for the U's.

After gaining promotion to the Championship at the start of last season, Oxford United cemented their position in the second tier with a 17th-placed finish last time out.

Being commonly thought of as one of the weaker sides in the division, manager Gary Rowett has taken to life well at the Kassam Stadium after being appointed as Oxford United boss in December 2024.

Rowett's team have been known to be a major threat from set-pieces due to giving his coaching staff creative freedom from these situations, according to the Oxford Mail.

Rowett said, “The work is good, the detail is really good, and when you show that detail and do the good work in the week, you get the reward."

With dangerous set-piece takers in the side such as the likes of Cameron Brannagan and Tyler Goodrham, add Leeds United's Sam Greenwood to the mix and the U's could be onto a winner.

Greenwood's set-piece threat could spell danger for opposition

After spending the last two seasons of his career on loan at Middlesbrough and Preston North End, Greenwood is no stranger to the Championship and could prove to be a vital signing should Oxford go in for the forward.

With the 23-year-old gaining regular game time throughout his loan spells and chipping in with attacking returns, his wand of a right-foot could prove to be a set-piece threat whilst adding to the versatility of the U's frontline.

Greenwood is renowned for the threat he poses from corners and free-kicks, as well as the penalty spot, and could fit right into Rowett's side that has had much joy in these areas last season, with Derby County the only side in the division to clock up more goals than Oxford from set-pieces, according to the Oxford Mail.

According to the Oxford Newspaper, United found the net 49 times in the Championship last season, with 21 coming from set pieces.

After retaining their designated takers, Greenwood's addition would add healthy competition for Rowett and could be the difference for the U's kicking on in their second Championship season since the formation of the English Football League.

Greenwood can add to set-piece delight for Oxford United

United, on numerous occasions last campaign, were well known for their defensive stability and set-piece tactics that ground out results for Rowett's side.

A prime example of this was in their 2-0 win against newly promoted Premier League outfit Sunderland in late April.

With both goals in that game coming from set-pieces via Ben Nelson and Michal Helik, it is an area of expertise that the U's can look to further improve as the new season dawns.

Post-match, Rowett said via Sky Sports, "When you're a club that doesn't have a stellar amount of money to spend on players, you have to find different ways to get goals."

With someone like Greenwood who could add to United's set-piece threat, a loan deal would certainly be shrewd business.

The former England youth international - who also spent time with Sunderland and Arsenal as a youngster - has proven himself to be a highly versatile player too, capable of operating anywhere across the forward line.

Therefore, with the U's no doubt looking to score more than their 49 league goals from last season in 25/26, adding a player like Greenwood who's shown that he can score and provide goals at Championship level, could be a wise addition indeed.

Greenwood could help push a number of Oxford players in a variety of positions, and enable Rowett to add a Swiss Army-Knife-type player to the group - players who always tend to prove to be worth their weight in gold.