Manchester United‘s struggles continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Wolves on Boxing Day’s English Premier League fixture. Captain Bruno Fernandes received his third red card of the season. This is United’s fifth defeat in seven games. They are now only eight points above the relegation zone.
Lineups
Wolves started with Jose Sa in goal, Jonny, Craig Dawson, Max Kilman, and Nelson Semedo in defence, with Joao Gomes, Boubacar Traore, and Hwang Hee-chan in midfield, and Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen up front.
Manchester United lined up with Andre Onana in goal, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Rasmus Hojlund, and Sergio Reguilon in defence, with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes in midfield, and Marcus Rashford and Antony up front.
How the Match Unfolded
The match was closely contested, with both teams creating scoring opportunities in the early stages. Wolves’ Matheus Cunha was a constant threat, using his pace and skill to beat United’s defenders. In the 25th minute, Cunha tried his luck with a corner kick, but United’s defence cleared the ball. The Brazilian forward was not deterred, and his clever movement and vision continued to cause problems for United’s defence.
As the first half drew close, United began gaining more possession. Still, they were unable to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities. The match remained goalless at halftime, with both teams still searching for the breakthrough.
The second half began with a dramatic turn of events. Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second yellow card in the 47th minute. The United captain had been walking a tightrope after receiving his first yellow card in the first half, and his dismissal gave Wolves a numerical advantage.
Wolves capitalized on their advantage in the 57th minute when Matheus Cunha scored directly from a corner kick. The goal was similar to the one scored by Son Heung-min for Tottenham against United the previous week.
United pushed hard for an equalizer, but the Wolves defense didn’t bulk. As the match entered its final stages, Wolves began to counterattack, and they sealed the win in the eighth minute of added time. Cunha squared the ball for Hwang Hee-chan, who scored with a simple tap-in to make it 2-0.
Post-Match Analysis
Dark humour about a relegation fight remains a joke for now but United are only eight points above the drop zone – and their next two games are against Newcastle at home and Liverpool at Anfield. The joke might be all too real after that.
The defeat highlighted United’s frailty at defending set pieces, with the team conceding from a corner kick for the second time in as many games. Captain Bruno Fernandes has received his third red card of the season as frustration in the camp worsens.
One of United’s major concerns is its inability to defend set pieces. The team has conceded several goals from corners and free kicks this season, and this area needs to be addressed urgently. United’s defence has also been criticized for its lack of organization and communication, and it needs to be improved if the team is to have any chance of finishing in the top four.
United’s bench appear to be lacking in quality and experience with several key players missing. The team’s transfer policy has been criticized too in recent years, and it is an area that needs to be addressed if the team is to have any chance of competing at the top level.
What the Coaches Said
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira was full of praises for Matheus Cunha, saying, “He’s a good boy, a good pere’s also a leader inside the team. We tried to put this ball swinging inside, but it’s his quality. I think it’s not about work, it’s individual quality. He’s a player in my opinion who can reach high standards in this league.” United manager Erik ten Hag was not available for comment after the match. Here’s what Reuben Amorim described the loss of the game.
"We just have to survive" 💬
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 26, 2024
Ruben Amorim on Manchester United's 2-0 loss against Wolves 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KiGaPyFmRd
Player of the Match
Matheus Cunha was the star for the Wolves, scoring one goal and assisting in another.
What Next
If life was not bad enough for United, they will now be without Fernandes for the home game with Newcastle on 30 December and also midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who picked up his fifth booking of the season. Wolves’ next match is against Nottingham Forest on Monday, January 6, at Molineux Stadium. After that, they’ll face Arsenal on Saturday, January 25, in the same stadium.
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