Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United earned their second win in nine days, extending their unbeaten run to three with a 4-1 victory over lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A bizarre Bruno Fernandes opener was cancelled out in first-half injury time by a snatch-and-grab effort from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
But despite another defensive setback, United remained determined and deserved a commanding lead, ultimately regaining their advantage within minutes of the restart through Bryan Mbeumo.
Mason Mount added his second in three games with a fine finish to end an exquisite attacking move, before Fernandes notched a fourth from the penalty spot late in the game.
It was about as comfortable a Premier League outing as United could ask for, but you can only play what is put in front of you.
Ruben’s Reds offered a significant attacking threat, and, although some will choose to ignore it, a performance that generates hope for more throughout a congested December schedule.
Manchester United climb to within a point of Champions League football with Molineux win
The difference between agony and ecstasy threads the thinnest of lines at Old Trafford, accompanied by a class of hyperbole that regularly leads into the extreme.
Amorim’s side was unbeaten in two fixtures before making the trip to the Black Country, but that didn’t stop the world’s media from targeting his character and ability to lead this group towards Project 150.
Regardless, the one-time Sporting hero stuck to his guns and named a formidable starting XI, spearheaded by the imposing figure of former Molineux favourite Matheus Cunha.
United were targeting a winning response against a Wolves outfit that was yet to collect three points this season, enduring 12 defeats from 14 Premier League fixtures under two different management teams.
The 20-time English champions began brightly, showing clear attacking intent, while looking to unsettle a vulnerable home defence during the opening exchanges.
Diogo Dalot was presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring inside 10 minutes, but the busy Sam Johnstone denied his placed effort when through on goal.
Nonetheless, United were relentless and took the lead midway through the half when Cunha profited from abject defending to tee up the onrushing Fernandes with a scrambled effort.
Much of the contest was similar to men versus boys, with a disgruntled home support venting their frustrations throughout. Truthfully, the Reds should have scored three or four, with attacking complacency again on display.
Amad was a constant threat on the right flank and was rightfully aggrieved when Emmanuel Agbadou denied his goal-bound effort with an outstretched arm in the area. Bizarrely, VAR quickly dismissed any suggestion of wrongdoing.
But, as we are all too aware, football is the funniest of games. Despite enduring constant pressure, Wolves scored their first goal since October, deep into injury time, thanks to the outstretched boot of Bellegarde.
A lack of clinical finishing coupled with a fragile defensive line once more supplied that aching feeling for a heavily-scuritnised United chief.
| First half statistics via SofaScore | Wolves | Manchester United |
| Possession | 40% | 60% |
| Total shots | 3 | 14 |
| Big chances | 0 | 3 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.28 | 1.00 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 3 | 0 |
| Passes | 168 | 260 |
Thankfully, United were undeterred, bursting out of the blocks after the restart and immediately threatening a frail Wolves backline.
Ruben’s side regained the lead within six minutes through a scintillating counterattack, resulting in Dalot presenting Mbeumo with an open net for his sixth goal of the Premier League campaign.
Although rare defensive passages offered some concern, the transitional capabilities of this team are evident, and Mount was on hand to finish a sweeping move within 10 minutes – Fernandes, the willing provider.
It was all too easy for the former English kingpins, with Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro entering proceedings for the final quarter, maintaining Amorim’s insistence on mid-game alterations to his defence.
Things went from bad to worse for an already-angered home contingent when VAR sent Michael Salisbury to the pitchside monitor for a second glance at a Yerson Mosquera handball.
Ironically, it was almost a carbon copy of Agbadou’s incident in the first. Bruno happily stepped up to claim his brace from the penalty spot.
Kobbie Mainoo, Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee were all given a runout during the final 15 minutes, with Mainoo receiving a notable ovation from a vocal away end.
Although many will move to discredit the victory due to the nature of the opposition, United climb to sixth in the table and are within a point of Champions League football after 15 fixtures.
Attention immediately shifts to Old Trafford on Monday week, with the visit of Bournemouth presenting the latest challenge for football’s most scrutinised club.
How do you feel about an extremely comfortable three points at Molineux? Let us know in the comments or on our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com.
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