In their final game of 2022, Manchester United travel to one of their bogey teams in Wolves on New Year’s Eve. United have an opportunity to maintain their bid to get into the top four should they win at Molyneux for the third season running. Wolves are enjoying a winning start to Julien Lopetegui’s tenure with a dramatic win over Everton following qualification to the next round of the Carabao Cup. United have similarly won both their games since the World Cup and are yet to concede with wins over Burnley and Nottingham Forest. United will back themselves but need to be wary of the threat Wolves have in attack with the likes of Traore, Jimenez, Costa and Podence. Here’s all you need to know:

Wolves vs Manchester United Match Information:

Teams: Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United
Date: Saturday 31st December 2022
KO Time: 12:30pm GMT
Location: Molineux Stadium
Managers: Julien Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag
Referee: Robert Jones

Wolves vs Manchester United Team News:

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves will remain without their number 7, Pedro Neto. Neto will remain out along with Chiquinho and Kalajdzic. Boubacar Traore and Jonny Otto will both be available. Costa could line up for his first game against United since 2017.

Manchester United

Manchester United were without Scott McTominay and Victor Lindelof due to illness against Nottingham Forest and Harry Maguire was only fit for the bench. Lindelof has now returned to training while McTominay remains absent. Diogo Dalot has also returned following a hamstring injury but Wan-Bissaka is tipped to start anyway. Lisandro Martinez is back in training from Wednesday and may come into the squad for this game.

Interesting Facts:

• Before the 2020/21 season, United had not beaten Wolves in four league attempts (D3 L1) but since then, have won both of their last games at Molinuex.
• This fixture rarely brings about goal-fests. The most number of goals scored in this fixture since Wolves’ most recent promotion is three and a game has not been won by more than one goal in this time.
• Anthony Martial is one goal away from his 60th Premier League goal. This would average his scoring tally to a goal every 2.23 games in the Premier League.

Predicted XI:

Manchester United should keep a few players from the win over Nottingham. Varane’s pace will be needed against Wolves along with Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw. However, I anticipate Harry Maguire will come in to match the physicality Costa and Jimenez bring and Luke Shaw will play at left back.

In midfield, I expect no changes with MOTM, Casemiro playing in front of Eriksen and Fernandes. Up front, Marcus Rashford is on fire and will want to score for the third game running. Anthony Martial should keep his place up front while Antony will have another chance in the absence of Sancho.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial

Predicted Score:

I expect a narrow result but one United come out on top of. Wolves still have the fragilities they have been exposed to this season and the new manager bounce needs to end. I expect United to scrap for three points and survive what I only expect to be a stressful 90 minutes.

United to win 0-1