Manchester United’s worrying form continued as they lost 2-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday evening.
Sadly, it was a poor decision by captain Bruno Fernandes that cost Man United the match against a weaker side that finds themselves wallowing in the relegation zone.
United almost scored seconds after the kick-off, with a ball from Bruno Fernandes skidding across the face of goal. Unfortunately, none of his teammates in the box could get a foot to it.
With less than five minutes on the clock, Leny Yoro was booked for a challenge on Matheus Cunha from behind. An unnecessary yellow card offence by Yoro, who will have to proceed with caution for the rest of the match.
After Amad Diallo was taken down on the right wing, Bruno Fernandes swung in a decent free-kick that the hosts’ defence did well to clear. While United produced some impressive one-touch passing between Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, and Noussair Mazraoui, they were unable to capitalise as the ball veered out for a goal kick.
15 minutes in, Gonçalo Guedes sprinted into the box, playing a through ball to Jørgen Strand Larsen, only for Andre Onana to catch the pass just in time. United’s defence continued to show signs of discomfort following their poor run of games leading into this evening’s match.
Three minutes later, Wolves players were running circles around United, with Cunha making a breakthrough before being brought down by Fernandes, who was booked for his dirty challenge.
On the stroke of 20 minutes, Diogo Dalot took a thunderous shot from long outside the box, forcing a full-stretch save from the goalkeeper Jose Sa.
25 minutes in, Cunha drilled a cross to Larsen, who directed his close-range header into the ground. Onana did brilliantly to tip the shot around the post for a corner, which United managed to defend successfully.
Three minutes later, Mainoo laid the ball off to Dalot on the edge of the box, whose effort was deflected out for a corner. Better attacking pressure from United.
Fernandes was brought down in the final third, winning United a free-kick. The skipper’s cross was a good one, finding Dalot at the far post, whose header was directed to Lisandro Martinez. The centre-back produced a promising header that was saved by the Wolves keeper. That was United’s best scoring opportunity so far.
10 minutes before the break, Rayan Aït-Nouri produced a threatening through ball that glanced across the face of goal. While Onana made the decision to leave the ball, he was lucky as no Wolves players were positioned close enough to make the most of what was a deadly pass.
In the 39th minute, Nelson Semedo took a lethal long-range shot, which took a deflection before straying just inches wide of the post. The home side were inching closer to breaking the deadlock.
Amad then got on the end of a long ball, taking a shot that the defender did well to block.
The referee blew the whistle after one minute of stoppage time, bringing an end to what was a somewhat bland first half of football. United lacked intensity in the final third – an area they will need to improve in so as to come away with what should be a straightforward win.
Barely two minutes into the second half, Fernandes made his second ill-timed tackle of the match, a late challenge on Semedo. He earned a second yellow card and, with it, his marching orders. While a seemingly harsh call by the ref, this complicated life for United.
A minute later, Wolves appeared to have scored when Semedo crossed to Larsen, who tapped the ball into the net. VAR was then called into play due to an offside claim.
Fortunately for United, the goal was deemed offside, meaning the game remained level.
Then, Wolves sparked another attack, with Larsen’s shot being confidently saved by Onana, only for the home side to be flagged offside yet again.
After 54 minutes, Ugarte received a questionable yellow card, United’s fourth of the evening, counting Fernandes’ two bookings.
In the 58th minute, the stadium erupted. In a moment of brilliance, Cunha scored directly from a corner, curling his cross into the back of the net. United’s defending of corners has continued to be shambolic. Something needs to be done on Amorim’s end to rectify this reoccurring issue.
With a little less than 30 minutes to play, Amorim made a triple change. Antony replaced Leny Yoro, Casemiro came on for Mainoo, and Christian Eriksen replaced Manuel Ugarte.
In the 68th minute, Casemiro got on the end of a threatening long ball, heading the ball goalward to force a save. A rare positive movement from United. Hopefully, the fresh subs can help to build some momentum.
A minute later, Antony expertly cut into the centre of the pitch, taking a threatening shot from outside the box that veered just wide.
With little over 10 minutes of regular time left, Alejandro Garnacho replaced Amad while Joshua Zirkzee came on for Hojlund.
Casemiro lobbed the ball to Garnacho, whose header floated ever so slightly over the crossbar. United may yet find a late equaliser.
Eight minutes of added time were announced, giving United ample time to find a late equaliser.
United earned a free kick when Garnacho was brought down by Matt Doherty on the wing. Eriksen whipped in a threatening cross, which was headed out for a corner.
At the death, Wolves made the most of their one-man advantage, catching United on the break. Tommy Doyle threaded a long ball to Cunha, who, together with Hwang Hee-chan, went two-on-one with the keeper. Cunha passed the ball to Hwang, who buried the ball into an open net.
2-0, the match ended as Amorim and his players made their way down the tunnel following a humiliating performance. Life at Old Trafford is quickly starting to look dire for the new United manager.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Fernandes, Hojlund, Yoro, Amad, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo
Subs: Antony, Casemiro, Eriksen, Garnacho, Zirkzee
Featured Image Naomi Baker via Getty Images
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