We have said that it will need to get worse before improving. That was again the case as Manchester United failed to build on their impressive festive record with a 2-0 defeat against Wolves at Molineux.
In a game that saw Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund return to the starting XI, Marcus Rashford was again absent from the first-team squad.
Frustratingly, Bruno Fernandes saw red, and Manuel Ugarte received his fifth yellow card of the campaign, ruling them out of the upcoming Premier League encounter with Newcastle.
Ultimately, it is a further disappointment for Ruben Amorim following a disappointing capitulation against Bournemouth as the Reds fall to a shattering 14th.
Five defeats in ten outings as Manchester United chief
As has been the case under the Portuguese tactician, United began the game promisingly, controlling possession and dictating the tempo.
A back three of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Yoro were comfortable in their new-look setup, and despite the young Frenchman collecting a yellow card in the opening five minutes, there was a sense of control in transition.
Kobbie Mainoo played a memorable role in the 4-3 victory last season, and the young midfielder was integral in maintaining 70% possession throughout the opening 15, even with a couple of wayward passes.
But despite controlling proceedings and pressing for the opener, Wolves came closest against the run of play.
Matheus Cunha has impressed with his relentless displays this season and has attracted the attention of several Premier League powerhouses. His efforts led to a swift counterattack, with a Goncalo Guedes cross millimetres from the outstretched leg of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The home support responded, with the fixture tempting to awaken as action spewed from end to end.
However, both sides have struggled domestically, and their league position reflects the confidence in the final third. Unfortunately, this was again the case.
With 30 minutes on the clock, Strand Larsen delivered the best effort of the half with an intelligent header that required the full attention of a fully-stretched Andre Onana.
From here, play meandered familiarly, with neither keeper required to deny anything of note up to the break.
In what has become a largely routine trend, it was possession without final third penetration, as Amorim retreated to the dressing room to manufacture a suitable response.
What followed was anything but, as Fernandes was dismissed for a second yellow card only 90 seconds after the restart.
The home side had the ball in the net a moment later through the dangerous Larsen, but VAR interjected to confirm an offside position.
Wave after wave of attacks followed, with a menace and grit in the Molineux side’s movement, sensing blood from their wounded guests.
An inability to defend set pieces has been a weekly conversation for wounded Reds and the latest in a long list of calamitous routines soon followed.
Cunha, exquisite in his play, entered double digits for the season when his in-swinging corner beat a boxed-in Onana in the United net right before the hour mark.
Amorim responded by introducing Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Antony, for Ugarte, Mainoo and Yoro.
Admittedly, the changes enhanced the team press, but Wolves remained confident in possession and were happy to exploit the space created with the extra man.
Vitor Pereira’s footprint is already evident, and his side proved a constant threat when breaking on the counter. Regardless, United were undeterred and pushed forward for an unlikely equaliser.
Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee entered for the final ten minutes in place of Amad Diallo and Hojlund in one final roll of the dice.
But the extra man was evident throughout the second half, and the Old Trafford side were restricted to a fraction over 30% of the ball.
To the dismay of the travelling support, Wolves powered forward in the final minute of injury time to seal the points with a breakaway second thanks to the combination work of Cunha and Hee-Chan Hwang.
Worryingly, it’s defeat number five for Amorim in his tenth outing, with the prospect of fixtures against Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal in the coming weeks.
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