Wolves vs Manchester United Match Summary
Manchester United beat the Invincibles’ record, extending their unbeaten away run to 28 matches with a 0-1 win against Wolves. A late Mason Greenwood goal proved the difference in an electric game at Molineux. United will take the three points but there will be huge concerns right now. Wolves utterly battered United in the first half. Traore ran circles around the United midfield and defence but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Although Wolves’ countered with devastating pace, purpose and fluidity, most their chances were snuffed out. Maguire and Varane blocked everything and won almost every aerial duel. Wan-Bissaka made an unbelievable last-ditch clearance and David de Gea rolled back the years with a miraculous double save.
United’s midfield was either non-existent defensively or lacklustre and fractured in attack. There were moments of excellence but they only started to happen when Pogba dropped deeper and Fernandes started to make runs in behind.
What to take from the game:
United need another midfielder or need to find a consistent pivot. I was certain that Van de Beek would have his chance alongside Fred but perhaps it’s a good thing that he is not going away with the Netherlands as it means he’ll have time to work on his game in the pivot. Whatever happens, improvements have to be made in midfield be it with what United already have or with a new player. That will come with time and the fact half of United’s pivot options are staying back for the next ten days is crucial.
On the other side, there were plenty of positives to take away from the match. Plenty. Yes, the performance was not the best and United looked second best for two thirds of the match but that does happen and the big difference is, United got the win. Gritty, tight and a little undeserved. These are the games that make the difference between a top four bid and a title challenge. Defensively there was plenty to praise too, especially Varane who looked so composed against such difficult opposition. Greenwood looks so sharp and was unlucky not to score late in the first half too. He was quiet for large parts of the match but came up as the match winner and bagged his 20th Premier League goal in 37 starts.
What next for United and Wolves?
Now the international break is going to allow time to breathe before the fixture list gets heavy with cup competitions beginning midweek. Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be announced soon and maybe United can do some late business in the window for a midfielder but most importantly, this break allows Ole and his team to assess how United can play flamboyant attacking football and not leave themselves as open as they were on Sunday. Obviously, they won’t play against Traore every week but Saint-Maximin offers a similar problem for Newcastle and United will have to prepare accordingly.
As for Wolves, they played excellent counter-attacking football and their press was aggressive and effective. They just have to score that first goal and they may flow in but they have everything necessary to succeed. I don’t think they should be worried but the longer it goes on the more of a mental block it will be.
Wolves vs Manchester United Player Ratings
Wolves
José Sa 5/10
Nelson Semedo 6.5/10
Max Kilman 7/10
Conor Coady 7/10
Romain Saiss 6/10
Marcal 7.5/10
Ruben Neves 8/10
Joao Moutinho 7/10
Francisco Trincao 7/10
Adama Traore 9/10
Raul Jiminez 6.5/10
Subs
Daniel Podence 6/10
Fabio Silva N/A
Morgan Gibbs-White N/A
Bruno Lage 7/10
Manchester United
David de Gea 9.5/10
Rolling back the years! David de Gea made a wonderful double save to deny Romain Saiss. He also showed good hands throughout the game and was more confident in coming for crosses and sweeping. It shows promise and with Henderson coming back to fitness will be a crucial part of keeping his place in the team. He was fantastic against Wolves and earned his clean sheet.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8/10
Played very well alongside Varane and made a world-class last gasp clearance to deny Trincao a certain goal. Attacked with purpose but no end product yesterday. I expect another ten days of training will only help improve him in the new set-up.
Raphael Varane 9/10
Oozed class. Confident, composed and has an aura of calmness around the chaos going on. Made vital interception after vital interception, his recovery pace complimented Maguire so much in United’s high-line and even bagged an assist too! Fantastic debut.
Harry Maguire 7/10
Solid for the most-part. Had a couple of tricky moment with Trincao but Varane was there for him. A year ago this would have been an 8/10 but he’s set his standards even higher in the last twelve months that this is just above what should be expected from him.
Luke Shaw 7.5/10
Like Wan-Bissaka, got caught on the counter at points. Played well in possession but had very little to aim for in the box. Set-pieces looked dangerous but never met the right target.
Fred 2/10
Oof. The only reason it’s not less is because he sorted himself out for the last 15-20 minutes and did press and work hard off the ball. But he was overwhelmed at points and didn’t help himself by giving the ball away needlessly on countless occasions. He can’t be the lone midfielder. Pogba was forced to drop deeper because of that. Was it the right call to play him there? In theory yes but now Solskjaer’s learned that lesson. I refuse to believe the same Fred who was outstanding against Leeds, City, Liverpool and countless others is somehow an awful player. He plays well in certain set-ups. That was not one of them and United know that now. Fortunately it didn’t cost them points.
Paul Pogba 5/10
The first half was poor. He waited for passes and virtually never got a hold on the ball. It was only when he dropped deeper that he finally started to click. He made some good long passes but even then they were alongside some poor ones too. He played better in the second but was below his standards. He’ll want to do better next time.
Bruno Fernandes 5/10
Ghosted through the first half but got more into it in the second. Almost scored with a delightful flick and almost set another up with a wonderful touch in the first half. He picked up more when Cavani came on but it’s been a slow return since the Leeds game as teams pile the man-markers on him. It won’t stop him and with more firepower coming, it won’t stop United from scoring.
Daniel James 6.5/10
I don’t think the substitution was about his performance. He played well, helped on the right with Marcal and Traore and got in good positions and put decent crosses in but again, there was no target. He had to come off because Cavani as a focal point and Sancho and Greenwood wide would be enough. I sincerely hope this isn’t his last game for United. As a utility player, he is so important. We saw that against Leeds and against City last year. I’ll be disappointed if James leaves.
Jadon Sancho 5/10
Didn’t show enough. He seems to lack some confidence but it will come with time. I hope a good spell with England will help his confidence and he’ll be raring to go against Newcastle. Not a good performance but there’s plenty to come from him.
Mason Greenwood 7.5/10
Got two real chances and took one. He’s deadly in front of goal. Offered good width on the right but still doesn’t have the knack of being in the box at the right time like Cavani and Ronaldo. He’s got all the talent and now will have all the experience and wisdom from two world class forwards to improve and flourish as a number 9.
Subs
Edinson Cavani 6/10
United played better with him there. He got things going and his work rate and movement created space. Withdrawing from the Uruguay squad almost certainly will be about his fitness and availability for the Newcastle game. There will be some big competition for the starting striker and he’s got to battle with one of the best young talents and one of the best players in the world.
Anthony Martial 6/10
Came on on the wing and looked sharp. He got involved in the attack well, tracked back and held onto the ball when needed to. Martial could come back from the break with more confidence if he plays well for France and then who knows? He could rediscover his good form and push his way into the team.
Diogo Dalot 6/10
Decent cameo and looks set to stay. He will probably come in for rotation and may start his first game against West Ham but again it’s about if Ole trusts him in both attack and defence. He has a big task ahead but has the potential to compete.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 6/10
I think there will be things that seriously concerned him. Fred can’t play on his own and Ole told Pogba to drop and that helped United get more of a hold on the game and crucially, attack. The set-up can work as long as Ole gets the right midfielder. Fred isn’t it clearly but there could be other ways for it to work. He adapted the play then brought on a bigger focal point and it got United playing. Sancho was struggling and Martial came on and looked sharp. He’ll be happy with the points but needs to tweak the system or buy a new midfielder.
