Manchester United closed out 2025 with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, allowing the visitors to claim their third point of a dismal Premier League campaign.
Ruben Amorim’s side were abject throughout, but took the lead midway through the opening half courtesy of a deflected effort from Joshua Zirkzee.
However, much like the recurring theme of the year, United surrendered the lead when Senne Lammens was beaten by a fine Ladislav Krejci header at the far post in first-half injury time.
Benjamin Sesko came close on several occasions, striking the woodwork in the process. Before Jose Sa rolled back the years to clear a Yerson Mosquera header off his line.
Remarkably, Patrick Dorgu thought he had stolen three points in added time, but his effort was correctly ruled out due to a marginal offside in the buildup.
Injuries and AFCON have provided more than a headache for Amorim. Still, a decision to deviate from a promising structure will supply a plethora of questions from the media and supporters alike.
Manchester United conclude 2025 with a tepid Premier League display against lowly Wolves
The prospect of leapfrogging Chelsea and Liverpool was on offer on a brisk Tuesday evening, with the Old Trafford faithful retaining minor aspirations of securing Champions League football.
Despite contending with a barrage of first-team absences, Amorim aimed to build upon growing momentum against the division’s bottom side while enjoying the obvious advantages of home comforts.
In contrast, Wolves had managed just two points from 18 outings amidst growing speculation about the future of under-pressure manager Rob Edwards.
Tactics and formations are among the most discussed topics since the Portuguese arrived in Manchester, and having returned to his favoured formation, this evening was no different.
Regardless, having enjoyed a tempestuous relationship with the British media to date, Ruben is not one to abandon his principles to appease the likes of Gary Neville.
Fresh off the back of a man-of-the-match performance against Newcastle, Ayden Heaven again highlighted his promise during the first of two key passages in the opening half.
Having reclaimed possession deep in the final third, the 19-year-old carried the ball towards Zirkzee, before the Dutchman’s long-range effort deflected past the helpless Sa.
The goal provided the first real moment of joy for the Stretford End in a game that lacked quality, with what was anything but a vintage performance from a heavily-rotated home side.
Sesko has yet to announce himself on the English stage following his big-money move. But he looked sharp throughout and will struggle to understand how he failed to find the net.
Without question, a goal advantage is rarely enough for this United side, and a sustained period of late pressure led to Krecji heading a deserved equaliser at the backpost.
The players headed for the dressing room alongside a noticeable chorus of discontent from those inside the ground, recognising a dire showing from a side with European aspirations.
Jack Fletcher replaced Zirkzee at the break to build upon his growing reputation at the club, leading to further questions about the latter’s future amid interest from Italy.
To the dismay of the home contingent, play continued similarly, with Sesko squandering his best opportunity of the night when heading directly at the keeper from seven yards.
The linesman’s flag saved his blushes, but replays confirmed that a goal would have stood.
Ruben shifted structure with about 25 minutes remaining, leading to a wave of assaults throughout the remaining passages. But there was a desperation to much of United’s attack, leading to frustration in the stands.
His side nearly reclaimed the lead through a bizarre backward header from Mosquera in the final quarter before Sa recovered to palm the ball off his line.
Bendito Mantato was handed his senior debut late in the game, before Dorgu had an injury-time winner correctly ruled out.
Once more, United failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s inability to win at Stamford Bridge, missing out on another opportunity to join the top four during a helter-skelter campaign.
Disappointingly, Amorim’s side ended the evening in sixth position, two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who play on Wednesday evening.
Not disregarding the lack of creativity, but the former Sporting chief will endure sustained scrutiny following another tepid outing and questions about what could have been.
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Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images via depositphotos.com.
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