João Moutinho’s late strike was enough to seal the victory for Wolverhampton Wanderers and hand Ralf Rangnick his first defeat in charge of United. Manchester United were far from their best and were second best for the entirety of the first half. The Red’s grew into the game in the second half and should have taken the lead through Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder hit the bar from close range and really should have found the back of the net. With the last kick of the game the Red Devils almost got an equaliser through Fernandes. However, his free-kick was saved well by Wolves keeper Jose Sa. So let’s take a look at five things we learnt from this league encounter.
1. Lack of quality in midfield costly against Wolves
Throughout the contest United found it hard to keep possession and build out from the back. When they were in possession there was no clear plan and this lead to poor decisions in the final third. The Red’s rarely moved the ball forwards and were often moving the ball side to side before gifting it to the visitors. Although, Wolves were excellent off the ball, the main reason for United’s inability to keep the ball was the shocking lack of quality in central midfield. United lack a holding midfielder, who is able to dictate the tempo of the game and create chances is a major issue.
Scott McTominay had a horrific display and simply isn’t good enough to be a holding midfielder who starts on a regular basis. The same argument can also be made for Nemanja Matic and Fred. If United want to progress as a team they must address this issue and bring in a midfielder such as Declan Rice. In this match Ruben Neves and Moutinho spread the play with ease and really made an impact on the game. The gulf in class between the two sets of holding midfielders was incredible.
2. Formation struggles continue
For the third league game in a row Manchester United seem to have no identity under their new manager Rangnick. The Germans favoured 4-2-2-2 formation is just not suited to this current set of players and perhaps not even suited to English football. Wolves manager Bruno Lage explained after the game how his side exploited the vacant wide areas against United to his sides advantage. During the first half, wingbacks Nelson Semedo and Marcal were found in acres of space. United had major issues defensively and had no reply to the constant waves of Wolves attacks. At halftime the Red’s went to a back three to combat this and this was a smart move. After United went a goal down, the players were everywhere and there was no sign of any kind of system. Unlike Wolves who kept in their solid defensive shape.
The 4-2-2-2 formation is hindering United’s wingers and has even began hindering Fernandes attacking output. There is a real concern with this system, which isn’t providing defensive stability or creativity in the final third. Although the players may need time to adapt to this system, there is already talk of United moving to a three at the back formation. This seems to be a yet another desperate attempt to salvage something from this season, as at the moment United do not deserve Champions League football.
3. Jones makes impressive return against Wolves
Many years ago Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to see a partnership of Phil Jones and Raphael Varane. Ten years from his retitrement and his dream came true. Harry Maguire was out with a rib injury, Victor Lindelof is still recovering from Covid and Eric Bailly was set to leave for international duty. Up steps Jones, who made his first appearance in two years to fill in at the back for United. From minute one Jones looked composed and ready to deal with everything the Wolves frontline were going to throw at him. A few interceptions and clearances early on and the Old Trafford faithful were chanting his name. Jones was probably the only positive Rangnick could take from this game. The English defender put in a professional performance and left the pitch with the fans singing his chant.
Throughout the game his positioning was impeccable and he made many last ditch blocks and tackles. Even late on when United were running out of ideas he won back possession and got the Red’s flooding forward. In the coming weeks, United will be facing many tough fixtures and will need to rotate if they want to get back into the top four. With this performance Jones has definitely got himself into Rangnick’s plans. The central defender just needs to keep performing in training and stay fit. A very professional performance from United’s number four.
4. Greenwood United’s best attacker?
Mason Greenwood has had a mixed campaign so far and this hasn’t been because of his attitude or application. During pre-season it seemed that he would be United’s main number nine and Ronaldo’s return changed this. Even then Greenwood persevered on the right-hand side and put in some decent performances. The Englishman has developed significantly in the last year and is now much more accomplished on the ball. Then under Rangnick, Greenwood has been deployed in the number ten position and as a nine but he has been nowhere near his clinical best. However against Burnley and Wolves he was definitely United’s best attacker. Despite this, in both games United’s number eleven has been the first player to been withdrawn. This has stirred up some confusion among the United fans who can’t see why players such as Cavani and Rashford deserve to be playing over the youngster.
Against Wolves, Greenwood was United’s bright spark. In the first half he turned Marcal inside-out and set Jadon Sancho away. He won the ball back for United many time and was very smart in possession. When the Red Devils came out in the second period, Greenwood switched sides with Sancho and looked even more dangerous. The fans began booing when Greenwood was withdrawn for Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker did need to come on but many thought it would be in place of Cavani, who wasn’t having an impact on the game. Whatever Rangnick does in the next few weeks, it is imperative he keeps Greenwood in the side. The Red’s simply don’t have a forward who is as dynamic and clinical as him and he needs to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
5. Cavani and Ronaldo partnership not effective against Wolves
Cristiano Ronaldo and Edison Cavani have only started games together on a handful of occasions. The pair have played together a few times this season when the Red Devils are chasing a game and they switch to a 4-4-2. During these matches the pair predominantly stay in the box and don’t offer the Red’s much when on the ball. Their role is to simply stay central and rely on the service of others.
Against Wolves the pair had no supply but were poor overall. The two strikers are simply too similiar, in which they both operate as poachers. If Rangnick pursues with this system he simply cannot start both together as United have the luxury of sacrificing one attacker in possession but not two. A solution to this could be to deploy Fernandes as a second striker. This would provide United with the attacking threat of Fernandes, who is dangerous in the box and is also inventive when in possession. Consequently, United would also be able to field another number ten, potentially in the form of Sancho and Greenwood.
