IFAB approve new rule change that will affect Manchester United and Man City

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body responsible for the rules of football, has introduced a significant rule change that will come into effect at the start of the 2025/2026 season. This new law is expected to have a major impact on Premier League teams, particularly Manchester United and Manchester City. The rule, which targets goalkeepers who waste time by holding the ball too long, will affect the strategies of teams that rely heavily on their goalkeeper’s ability to control the game and distribute the ball quickly.

This change comes at a time when both Manchester United and Manchester City are experiencing turbulent seasons. While their current form has been far from ideal, both teams remain in contention for important trophies, making the law change especially significant for them. Manchester City is still involved in the FA Cup and has aspirations of retaining their Premier League title, while Manchester United, despite mixed results, has their sights set on the Europa League.

With crucial matches on the horizon, including an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle for City and a home match against Fulham for United, as well as Europa League fixtures, the law change will impact their tactical approaches and the way they build from the back. It’s crucial to understand the details of this rule change and the long-term consequences it will have on both teams, as well as its broader implications for football.

Under the new rule, goalkeepers will be prohibited from holding onto the ball for more than eight seconds. This marks a significant shift from the current law, which imposes a six-second limit on goalkeepers. Previously, goalkeepers who held onto the ball beyond this time limit faced an indirect free-kick awarded to the opposition. The new rule, however, raises the stakes by introducing a more severe penalty: if a goalkeeper exceeds the eight-second limit, the opposing team will be awarded a corner kick, a much more significant consequence that could directly lead to a goal-scoring opportunity.

This change is part of IFAB’s broader efforts to speed up the game and eliminate time-wasting tactics, which have become increasingly common in modern football. Goalkeepers, who often possess the ball at the beginning of attacking plays, have been known to hold onto the ball longer than necessary to kill time, especially in games where their team is leading or looking to protect a result. This new regulation aims to prevent that, encouraging goalkeepers to release the ball more promptly and keep the game moving at a faster pace.

In addition to the eight-second rule, referees will be required to initiate a five-second countdown when a goalkeeper is holding the ball, making it clear to the goalkeeper that they are running out of time. This will serve as a warning, giving the goalkeeper a chance to release the ball before the penalty is enforced. The countdown will be visible to both the goalkeeper and the rest of the players on the field, ensuring that there is no ambiguity about the rule’s enforcement.

The change will be implemented across all competitions, including the Premier League, domestic cups, and international competitions like the Champions League and Europa League. For top clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United, this will affect how they play throughout the season, not just domestically, but also in high-pressure international fixtures.

Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana, who joined the club in the summer of 2023, will be one of the key players affected by the new rule. Onana, known for his exceptional ability to distribute the ball from the back and his command of the area, has been integral to United’s build-up play under manager Ruben Amorim. His skill set includes playing as a sweeper-keeper, which means he often plays a crucial role in setting the tempo of United’s attacks by playing short passes or launching long balls to the forwards.

The new eight-second rule could force Onana to rethink his approach to distributing the ball, particularly when facing pressure from opposition forwards. Onana is often seen holding onto the ball to either assess his options or wait for his teammates to get into position. With the new rule in place, he will need to adjust his timing, ensuring that he does not exceed the eight-second limit. This may result in quicker decisions and potentially more risky passes, as Onana will need to balance the need for time and space with the threat of conceding a corner kick if he exceeds the new limit.

Additionally, United’s defensive setup, which relies heavily on Onana’s quick distribution, may need to adapt to the new time constraint. In matches where they are under pressure and need to keep possession for longer periods, Onana’s quick decision-making and ability to distribute the ball effectively will be even more crucial. The timing of his passes and clearances will play a significant role in whether or not United can maintain their attacking rhythm or be caught out by the opposing team’s quick transitions.

Moreover, Manchester United may need to adjust their training methods to help Onana and other goalkeepers become more comfortable with this new style of play. They will need to focus on improving his ability to make quicker decisions under pressure, especially when facing high-pressing teams. As the rule will be enforced across all competitions, including the Europa League, the team will need to ensure Onana is prepared for any eventuality, whether it’s a league match or an international competition.

Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, is another player whose style of play will be directly affected by the new rule. Like Onana, Ederson is renowned for his ability to distribute the ball quickly and accurately, often acting as an additional playmaker from the back. His excellent passing range and composure under pressure allow City to control the tempo of the game and build attacks from deep. However, under the new rule, he will be forced to adapt his approach to avoid conceding a corner kick.

Ederson is frequently involved in Manchester City’s possession-based style of play, where every pass counts in maintaining control. He is known for his long, precise passes that often start City’s attacking moves, as well as his short distribution that helps retain possession in tight situations. The new eight-second rule will push him to make quicker decisions when he has possession of the ball. This could change how City play out from the back, especially when they need to keep the ball circulating in defense to draw the opposition out of position.

One potential impact of this rule could be on City’s ability to break down high-pressing teams. Teams that press aggressively, like Liverpool or Chelsea, might be able to take advantage of any delays in Ederson’s distribution, forcing him to rush his passes. The new rule will require City’s defenders to be even more aware of their surroundings, ensuring they offer support to Ederson in a way that allows for quicker, safer passes. It may also lead to more urgency in their build-up play, making it harder for City to patiently craft their attacking moves.

Just like Manchester United, Manchester City will need to incorporate this new rule into their training regimen. They will likely focus on improving their goalkeeper’s ability to distribute the ball efficiently under time pressure. Furthermore, City’s outfield players, particularly those involved in the build-up from the back, will need to be alert and ready to receive the ball at all times to avoid any delays.

The introduction of this new rule has broader implications for football as a whole. Time-wasting has been a persistent issue in football, with many teams, especially those trying to protect a lead, using goalkeepers as a means to slow down the game. The new law will address this by penalizing excessive time-wasting, which, in turn, could lead to a faster-paced and more dynamic style of play across all levels of football.

One of the key benefits of the rule is that it could reduce the number of stoppages in matches. By forcing goalkeepers to release the ball more quickly, the flow of the game is likely to improve, making for a more exciting viewing experience. Additionally, the more severe penalty of a corner kick, instead of just an indirect free-kick, could make teams more cautious about deliberately wasting time, especially in close games.

The rule change also highlights IFAB’s commitment to evolving football to suit modern demands. Football has seen an increase in the speed of play, with teams looking to counter-attack quickly and maintain possession more efficiently. This new law fits within that broader context, as it encourages faster decision-making and quick transitions, aligning with the overall direction the game is heading.

As Manchester United and Manchester City prepare for the 2025/2026 season, both teams will need to adjust their strategies to account for the new law that limits goalkeeper time-wasting. For goalkeepers like Ederson and Onana, this will mean quicker decision-making, faster ball distribution, and heightened awareness of the clock. The rule change will undoubtedly impact both teams’ play styles, especially in how they build from the back and manage possession.

However, the rule’s impact will not be limited to just these two clubs. The introduction of the new goalkeeper law will likely affect teams across the Premier League, as well as in European competitions. The emphasis on quicker play will make football more exciting and dynamic, reducing the frequency of time-wasting and ensuring that matches maintain their pace. Ultimately, how Manchester United, Manchester City, and other top clubs adapt to this new law will shape the future of football strategy, particularly for goalkeepers, in the years to come.