Source: The Busby Babe

The fixtures just keep coming for Manchester United following a busy December and January period as they space Wolves at Old Trafford this weekend. The game sees a 5th Place Manchester United team take on a 7th placed Wolves’ team, however both Manchester United and Wolves are on the same amount of points, 34, and it is only goal difference that separates the two teams. This demonstrates the test this game will pose to United and how they have to be on top form to get a result.

Manchester United have been in indifferent form of late having won three of their last five games, but losing the other 2. United last game was a 1-0 victory over Manchester City; however, this was still a disappointing result as United still lost on the away goals rule and were knocked out of the League Cup. However, that victory and the reasons 6-0 win in the FA Cup against Tranmere was a good response to a poor display which resulted in defeat against Burnley and Liverpool in their last Premier League outings. Saying this, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may opt to keep faith with the same side that beat Man City other than Nemanja Matic who is suspended.

Wolves come into this game in a poor run of recent form, with only 1 win in their last 5 games. This form is mostly due to them playing rotated teams in both the FA cup games they recently played against Manchester United. Even though Wolves’ form is poor and United have beaten them recently, this is still a tough test for Manchester United to have to overcome. In their last game, Wolves were narrowly beaten against the all-conquering a Liverpool side, only losing due to conceding late in the game.
Despite the loss, Wolves showed their quality and will now be intent on making a big effort to push for a European spot again this season.

The team news for United is that McTominay, Pogba, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah and Rashford all remain injured, and Matic is now out with suspension following his red card in mid-week. The good news for United is that new signing Bruno Fernandes is likely to feature in some capacity, I don’t believe Solskjaer will start him straight away but I fully expect him to come off the bench and make an impact on this game. The signing is a hugely positive one for Manchester United as it hopefully will increase are attacking output from midfield, that is something we have sorely lacked the season.

Predicted XI: De Gea; Williams, Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Pereira, Mata, Greenwood, Martial, James

Predicted Result: Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers