MANCHESTER UNITED EASE TO VICTORY AS WOLVES SINK DEEPER INTO THE ABYSS
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was pictured in rather animated conversation with Omar Berrada, the Manchester United chief executive, and sporting director Jason Wilcox during the first half.
It had, after all, been a familiar story. United creating chances but struggling to take them and then failing to hammer home the advantage when they did score and leaving the door open for opponents.
Against a team without a Premier League win for seven months, though, this was an occasion when it always felt as if United would have multiple bites at the cherry and by the end the scare they suffered late in the first half felt a rather distant memory.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are on course to finish the season as the worst Premier League team in history after an eighth consecutive defeat in the competition so Ruben Amorim was not about to get carried away by a second win in six.
“This is a specific case of facing a team that is really, really struggling and you can sense that in every situation of the game,” the United manager said. “So the next game [against Bournemouth] is going to be completely different so we need to know that.”
Amorim might find as many questions as answers in a performance that was at times sloppy in the first half but much slicker and quicker in the second as Wolves fell to pieces but the upsides will encourage the Portuguese.
Victory moved his side up to sixth in the Premier League table. This was only the third occasion since he took charge that United have scored four goals in a league game. Having been as good as written off 18 months ago, Casemiro continued his renaissance in central midfield while Bruno Fernandes underlined his enduring class with a couple of goals and a wonderful pick out for Mason Mount, who was in the goals again and once more showing that United are a better team with him in it.
“I think, once again, after we scored a goal, we were a little bit sloppy on the ball, and that gave a little bit of hope to the opponent,” Amorim said. “But we created a lot of chances in the first half also. We should have finished that half in a different way.
“At half-time, they understood that we had everything to win the game and they did that. I think the pace, the quality that we showed in the second half, understanding that the moment of Wolves is really hard as a team, as a club – we took advantage of that.”
After throwing away three points against West Ham United and losing to an Everton side that played for almost 80 minutes with 10 men, there was simply no margin for error for United. Yet by the end of an error-strewn and, at times, comedic first half United had somehow managed to rouse a home crowd that had spent much of the period haranguing their players and the ownership. When Jean-Ricner Bellegarde equalised in stoppage time, it was the first goal Wolves had managed in the league since October 26 but any hope of a huge upset soon faded after the restart as United moved through the gears, with Fernandes and Mount both impressing, and Wolves looking as ramshackle as ever all over the pitch.
The pick of the goal was the third. One of Mount’s great strengths is his ability to time those clever runs into the box and, darting between two Wolves players, Fernandes picked him out with a peach of a ball that the England midfielder planted coolly past Sam Johnstone. Mount was crisp and clean in pretty much everything he did and there is just a better balance to United’s attack when he is in it. United’s crucial second was a quick break involving Fernandes and Matheus Cunha, booed at every point on his return to Molineux following his summer switch to Old Trafford, and culminated in Diogo Dalot squaring for Bryan Mbeumo to score. Fernandes got the fourth late on from the penalty spot after Yerson Mosquera hand-balled a shot by Amad.
A mutinous atmosphere, fan boycotts, owner opposition and apathetic players. United have had their fair share of that in recent years but it is against that backdrop that Wolves are now playing. Hundreds of Wolves supporters had boycotted the opening 15 minutes of the game in protest at Fosun’s running of the club and then left the ownership in no doubt about the extent of their anger when they eventually returned to their seats.
Executive chairman Jeff Shi was the subject of repeated expletive-strewn abuse while chants of “You’ve sold the team now sell the club” punctured the night air. The mood turned more sour after Wolves had gifted United their opening goal following a catalogue of errors and chants of “What the f------ hell was that?” and “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” echoed around Molineux. It was a smorgasbord of incompetence. Andre, dallying on the ball in the inside right channel, somehow allowed himself to be intercepted by Casemiro, whose perseverance paid off as he prodded the ball into the path of Cunha.
The Brazilian suddenly found himself in front of goal with only Emmanuel Agbadou ahead of him. Fernandes was up quick in support but Cunha’s pass was a poor one and hit behind his team-mate, who slipped as he checked his run. It should have been the prompt for Agbadou to intercept and clear the lines but, even with Fernandes off balance and half the size of the Wolves defender, he managed to hold him off long enough to get his shot off.
Cue mistake No 3 from Wolves as Johnstone let the ball brush off the bottom of his left hand and in. Wolves fans could barely believe what they were watching and rounded on the team.
And yet, with United missing so many chances, Wolves were still in the game heading towards the interval. Mbeumo had a shot saved when sent clear by Fernandes and Cunha’s rebound was cleared off the line. Earlier, Dalot had been denied one on one after two Wolves defenders were caught napping from a quick Fernandes free-kick. Mbeumo also had a snapshot volley beaten away. So when Wolves equalised it was in keeping with the way things have gone for United this season.
First Wolves crossed from left to right and then from right to left. The ball eventually fell to David Moller Wolfe on the left byline and he hooked a cross into the unmarked Bellegarde who controlled a smart finish into the corner.
It was a wake-up call for United and one they heeded during a one-sided second half. It will not be this easy against Bournemouth.
Edwards on the protests
They’ve not seen their time win for ages, so I get the anger and frustration completely. If I was a supporter I’d be angry myself because we all want to see our team competing and I want to be doing that.
More from Rob Edwards
We got ourselves back in the game but the goals we conceded we’ll never get anything from a game. We gave the ball to them, ‘there you go Man Utd’. It’s impossible to win a game of football that way.
It’s understandable at times, there’s a nervousness around, a lack of confidence and rhythm. They’re human beings, they feel it.
For the third goal we won the ball three or four times and insist on giving it back to them.
It’s difficult especially at this level. We’re getting punished.
We have to try to work very hard, try to learn and try to improve.
How will those go down from Rob Edwards?
It was like watching a kids’ game elements of the first three goals we gave away.
Amorim’s thoughts
We start the game really well, we score the goal and we let Wolves come back into the game. We suffered with the last action of the first half.
In the second half, with good pace and good quality with the decisions we finish the game. Wolves are in a difficult moment.
We improved a lot if you compare last season and this season, we are creating so many more chances, scoring more goals and creating real moments of dangers.
Cunha moves more than a typical nine so we took advantage of that.
Mount on United’s attacking football
Attacking with freedom. I thought some of the combinations going forward were crisp, were sharp and that’s what we can do.
We know we can do that. It’s about us creating as many chance as we can as forward players and trying to get on the scoresheet. I thought going forward we were solid, and as a defence it’s about defending as a team and not letting them have any chances to get back into the game.
Mount on the performance
It was an important win for us. Obviously, first half we let them back in it before half-time and we go into the changing room frustrated and disappointed with the end to the first half.
The manager had a few things to say and we come out there and it was down to us to attack with purpose and finish our chances we were creating. We’re happy with the second half, parts of the first half as well. Overall, very happy with that.
Some unwanted Wolves records
- They have equalled their longest-ever losing streak in league history, also losing eight in a row between December 1981 and February 1982
- This is the joint-lowest points tally 15 games of a campaign in the history of the top four tiers, level with Sheffield United in the Premier League in 2020-21, Southport in 1975-76 in the fourth division and Barrow and Newport County in 1970-71 in the fourth division.
FT: Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
Wolves continue to have fewer points than a triangle, but the victory moves United into the pack of teams close to the Champions League places. A nice palate cleanser after poor displays at home to Everton and West Ham, but in truth playing Wolves at the moment is a Premier League fixture in name only. Ruben Amorim will not be getting the bunting out, but job done.
95 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
Good strike from Wolves sub Lopez, but his effort whistles just over the bar. A little bit of frustration behind the shot, but it is too little too late.
92 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
Owing to plenty of substitutions and VAR checks, we are in the second minute of nine added on. Plenty of Wolves fans have seen enough, but a quirk at Molineux is that the section in view of the main match camera is the away end. So the stadium looks full at first glance.
89 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
Nice flick from Amad at the edge of the box, but Mbuemo turned down the shot and tried to pass instead.
86 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
United have had 27 shots on goal tonight, which is the most they have managed in a game under Ruben Amorim. They are about to jump up to sixth and level on points with Chelsea, which feels mad given the respective narratives around both teams.
84 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 4
Here come another pair of United changes with the game done and dusted: Dorgu and Zirkzee on, Dalot and Mount off.
Fernandes scores!
Wraps a right-footed shot into the bottom corner. That is the 40th penalty Fernandes has scored for United in 46 attempts.
Penalty United!
Mosquera is shown a yellow card for what the referee describes as a “deliberate handball” in the penalty area.
Bruno Fernandes is going to take.
79 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
Amorim has made another change: huge cheers from the United away end as Kobbie Mainoo replaces Casemiro in midfield. This was the venue where he scored a 96th-minute winner under Erik ten Hag.
Scramble in the Wolves penalty box, and there are appeals for a handball penalty from the United players.
Did Mosquera lean his arm towards the ball?
There is going to be an on-field VAR review.
77 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
Mason Mount has been class tonight.
He is very much a forgotten man for England, and the World Cup is surely out of reach, but his performance here will give United huge encouragement for the future.
76 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
Mason Mount has been United’s best player tonight, and he has just won them a free-kick in a central shooting position just outside the box. Dalot, Cunha and Fernandes are all over it, as is Mount. They all want a crack.
Fernandes goes for it, and his deflected shot clips the roof of the net.
73 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
Ironic cheers for Jorgen Strand Larsen there as he is substituted with 20 minutes to go.
Wolves fans have grown frustrated with the Norway international for his performances since a £55m move to Newcastle collapsed in the summer.
Strand Larsen was clearly annoyed, glaring at the South Bank as he left the field. He was also shouting back at fans behind the dug-out.
Summer signing Jhon Arias was also cheered ‘off’ as he was replaced.
This really is an unhappy club at the moment.
69 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
United making a couple of changes at the back: Martinez and Yoro get some minutes, with Heaven and Mazraoui off. There’s a good case that makes United’s defence stronger.
Wolves are making three subs: Arokodare, Mané and Hugo Bueno are coming on, Strand Larsen, Arias and Toti are coming off.
66 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
Johnstone with another diving save to keep out Cunha’s header. United have stepped things up since the break, increased the urgency, and the home team cannot hold back the tide at the moment. Wolves have to travel to the Emirates, Anfield and Old Trafford before New Year.
64 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 3
That will be that.
Wolves are falling to their ninth successive defeat and the pain goes on for Rob Edwards.
They have shown flashes of spirit, but are so desperately short of quality that Derby’s record low points total of 11 from 2007-08 could well be beaten this season.
The more adrift Wolves become at the bottom, the less likely any significant business in the January transfer window becomes.
GOOOALL! Mount adds United’s third
After a Fernandes’ shot was blocked, United’s captain picks out the late run of Mount with a lovely chipped pass and the former Chelsea man finished with a sweet volley. That should make the points safe.
60 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 2
World darts champion Luke Littler is in the Manchester United away end.
United are wobbling again here and inviting pressure from Wolves.
Their second goal should have been the cue to take control but they are letting Wolves create chances and look vulnerable.
Ruben Amorim is crouching down, frustrated, and has seen this movie before so many times.
57 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 2
All of a sudden, United’s defence is creaking again, but a deflected falls their way in the box.
Mosquera then heads the ball back to a dangerous area, but Mazraoui does ever so well to clear under pressure.
Wolves have been dreadful at the back, but quite plucky going forward.
54 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 2
Things get worse for Wolves: one of their better players, Bellegarde, looks to have hurt his ankle in the challenge that led to the United counter-attack. He needs assistance to hobble off, and is replaced by Fer Lopez. That looks a painful one for Wolves’ goalscorer on the night.
GOOOOAALLL! Mbuemo restores United’s lead
Wolves’ defence strung out again after an attack breaks down, and Cunha picks out the run of Dalot beyond the jagged line of gold shirts. Dalot keeps his head to square for Mbuemo, who stayed behind play to keep himself onside and he tapped into an empty net.
50 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 1
Lovely pass forward from Mount to find the run of Mbuemo, and he lays the ball into the path of Cunha but Agbadou makes a superb recovery challenge. Half-hearted appeals for a handball penalty but nothing doing. United looking dangerous early in the half, playing forward early at every opportunity.
47 minutes: Wolves 1 Manchester United 1
Cunha blasts over from the edge of the box after quick feet from Amad on the right.
Then Johnstone rushes of his line to dive at the feet of Cunha, and only partially deals with it.
The ball breaks for Mbuemo to shoot from 25 yards but a Wolves defender got back towards the line to clear.
We are back under way!
Wolves get the second half started.
John Percy’s half-time verdict
United will be kicking themselves for allowing Wolves back into this game.
Wolves have at least shown some fight and there was an air of inevitability about their equaliser.
Could Rob Edwards be close to picking up his first point as head coach?
Same old story for United. They really do lack that clinical, killer instinct in front of goal.
HT: Wolves 1 Manchester United 1
A very strange half of Premier League football: a muted, then mutinous and then supportive atmosphere was the backdrop to two teams who lack conviction. Wolves looked awfully flimsy in the opening 30 minutes, and United should have scored another goal or two, but they found their feet as the half progressed. United should be putting Wolves to the sword, but the old doubts linger.
GOOOAALLL! Bellegarde strikes right on half-time
The game was drifting along towards the half-time whistle, and United were caught napping.
A cross was swung in from the right and found Wolfe free at the back post, and after he reversed a ball across goal Bellegarde stretched out a leg to score with a very tidy finish.
A goal from nowhere, and Wolves have scored for the first time in 541 Premier League minutes.
43 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 1
Strand Larsen has been shown a yellow card for barging Heaven go after the ball was gone. The game has been quite bitty for the last few minutes.
United’s big problem this season has been not taking their chances when on top.
Will they regret not adding a second goal here? Wolves have been spirited yet limited but it would be typical United if they end up frustrated with their profligacy.
40 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 1
Better spell from Wolves, now. They are not without ability going forward, but defensively they continue to look so vulnerable. Wolfe with an important tackle to stop Mbuemo on the counter. United allowing the game to become a little bit end to end. Bellegarde did well to cut inside from the left, but his shot was always rising.
38 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 1
Mbuemo caught on the ball in midfield, and Arias dribbles his way up the pitch before being chopped down by the United forward. Mbuemo shown a yellow card. Mosquera lofts a decent cross into the box but there is no Wolves player there.
36 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 1
Dalot very nearly picks out Cunha in the six-yard box with an outside of the right foot cross, but Toti made a crucial clearance to stop United from scoring a second. It seems a matter of time before it arrives, though. Cunha’s header from the corner deflects over, before Johnstone punches a deflected Fernandes shot clear.
33 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 1
Wolfe and Bellegarde are showing some endeavour, which gets the home fans on their side. Lammens comes off his line to claim a cross.
Two “Shi out” banners have just been unfurled in the South Bank.
28 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 1
Two more good chances for United, and this was a move of higher quality. Cunha with a flick around the corner to Fernandes who released Mbuemo. His shot was blocked, before Cunha’s follow-up was cleared off the line and then Amad fired not far wide. This should be a question of how many from here.
Do they still do compilations of comedy football moments for Christmas?
This United goal will have been peak material for the blooper reels, after a collection of errors.
Casemiro did well to press Andre into a mistake but what followed was a masterclass in gaffes.
Wolves fans aren’t laughing, though. “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” is the chant from the South Bank behind the goal.
GOOOAALL! Fernandes scores with Wolves in a mess
That is one of the scruffiest goals you will see all season. Wolves’ midfielder Andre was caught in possession by Casemiro, gifting United a two against one which they very nearly made a mess of.
Cunha tried to flick the ball back to Fernandes rather than shooting, and there was a slip which allowed Agbadou to get back at Fernandes, but he managed to twist and poke a shot under Johnstone.
“You’re not fit to wear the shirt,” sing the Wolves fans.
20 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
Heaven has just glanced a header not far wide for United, but Wolves have reached the 20-minute marked unscathed. Quick feet in the box from Amad against Toti, but Andre was well-position to made the interception for Wolves. Mbuemo’s cross is blocked.
“Sold the team, sell the club!” is the chant now from the Wolves fans.
16 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
In the 16th minute, the Wolves fans who started the game outside the stadium in protest start streaming their way to the seats singing “we want Fosun out!” That is followed by vehement suggestions that executive chairman Jeff Shi might be a merchant banker... or words to that effect.
Wolves fans will consider this protest as a job well done.
There are hundreds and hundreds of fans now filing into the stands, with the chant of “we want Fosun out” echoing around Molineux.
Jeff Shi, the club’s executive chairman, is also coming in for stick.
These chants have been the soundtrack of Wolves’ season.
14 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
That was more promising from Wolves, Mosquera spinning a ball over the top of Shaw for Bellegarde. The Wolves attacker tried to deliver early to Strand Larsen, and Mazraoui sliced the ball behind for a corner. Casemiro clears.
10 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
Wolves all at sea in the last few minutes, but United have an injury concern with Mazraoui down. Arias took a heavy touch and then caught the United defender as he tried to retrieve the ball. Mazraoui should be fine.
There are a lot of empty seats in the South Bank stand at Molineux.
Expect many of those seats to be filled after 15 minutes, with hundreds of fans staying outside the stadium in protest.
The absentees will be missing goalkeeper Sam Johnstone doing his best to keep the scores level.
8 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
United’s first clear-cut chance of the night falls to Dalot but Johnstone denies him with a good save! Wolves fall asleep from a quick United free-kick, with Dalot free to picked out in the left channel and carry the ball into the box unopposed. Dalot tried to pass the ball into the far corner but did not set the ball out far enough.
From a short corner, Mbuemo catches a volley sweetly and Johnstone is called into action again.
6 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
From the corner, Fernandes delivers a wicked inswinger that Johnstone has to punch from under the crossbar. Was Fernandes going for goal and trying to recreate the ‘Olimpico’ scored by Cunha against United last season? To call the atmopshere flat at Molineux would be an understatement.
4 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
Wolves enjoying a little bit of territory with Bellegarde looking lively. Wolfe then delivers a low cross towards Strand Larsen but Heaven cuts it out for United.
The away team then find some space by switching play left, and they get settled in the Wolves half before winning a corner.
2 minutes: Wolves 0 Manchester United 0
Some half-hearted boos from the Wolves fans towards Matheus Cunha. Neither team has settled into any sustained periods of possession so far. Wolves are at least making an effort to try to press United’s defenders.
KICK OFF!
Manchester United get the game started.
The two teams are out
Still quite a few empty old gold seats as a result of the fan protests against the Wolves’ ownership.
Cunha reminder of Wolves talent drain
There will be another reminder tonight of Wolves’s drastic talent drain with the return of Matheus Cunha.
Signed for £62.5m after Manchester United triggered his release clause, Cunha is the maverick that Ruben Amorim has been seeking.
Wolves fans fell out of love with Cunha in the final months, however, after a string of misdemeanours and some daft posts on social media. Yet his presence tonight will still do little to ease the tension towards the Wolves ownership.
Wolves fans not letting up
Wolves fans are protesting against owners Fosun tonight, with patience now expired amid the club’s torrid season. Around 500 fans gathered in front of the Billy Wright Stand at 6.45pm. Chants of “we want Fosun out”, and “we want our club back” filled the night air.
There was also a chant towards executive chairman Jeff Shi, who is viewed as the main villain behind this decline. Fans are also planning to stay outside the ground for the first 15 minutes of the match.
Mutiny has been building for some time and this season’s struggles has forced fans to act.
Fosun has been in place since 2016 and those stirring days under Nuno Espirito Santo feel a long time ago now. Remember, this was the club who romped to the Championship title, reached an FA Cup semi-final and a Europa League quarter-final.
These last few years have been painful, with over £320m worth of stars sold in that time. This season, they have not been adequately replaced and Fosun’s aim of self-sustainability looks set to end with them paying the ultimate cost of relegation.
Wolves are bottom of the table with only two points and that horrendous Derby record of 2007-08, ending the campaign with just 11 points, is under serious threat of being beaten.
Carragher goes in on Salah
Now Jamie Carragher has had his say on the Mohamed Salah saga (he didn’t pull any punches), we’re just 15 minutes away from the live action.
Support for Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo’s absence from the starting XI continues but he has at least one big fan in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison. It does seem bizarre that a player of Mainoo’s talent cannot break into that United midfield...
Amorim talks up strength from the bench
Jonny Evans leaves United role
Talking of turmoil, there is yet more change behind the scenes at United, with former centre-back Jonny Evans leaving his role as head of loans and pathways after just five months. The 37-year-old has decided the role was not right for him and his departure has been described as “amicable”.
United top of the league for away kits
United may be in almost continuous turmoil, but I am a big fan of that black strip.
Mason Mount finally winning fans over?
Mason Mount was on the bench for the draw with West Ham, despite scoring the winner against Crystal Palace in the previous game. There are signs, however, that the former Chelsea man is finally starting to make an impression for Ruben Amorim...
Wolves ‘drifting’ after lack of investment
The frustration of Wolves’ fans has been centred on a lack of investment by Chinese owners Fosun, their best players being sold each summer without being adequately replaced. This graphic from Monday Night Football neatly encapsulates the club’s gradual decline.
Carragher: Wolves need similar performance to Villa defeat
Straight-talking from Rob Edwards
FA Cup third round
The third-round draw for the FA Cup has just been made, with Wolves at home to League Two Shrewsbury and United hosting Brighton and Hove Albion in an all Premier League tie.
Elsewhere, ties to catch the eye are holders Crystal Palace travelling to non-League Macclesfield, Liverpool hosting Barnsley and Manchester City entertaining Exeter City. Tottenham will host last season’s semi-finalists Aston Villa.
It can’t get worse for Wolves can it? It can...
As a fan, you know things are bad when the talk of your club is whether they will claim the unwanted Premier League points record from Derby County. No need for Wolves to panic in that regard, they still only require 10 points from 24 games to better the 11 the Rams managed in 2007-08. The question of relegation however is a different story. Wolves look doomed, and with fans protesting against the ownership, you have to wonder whether Rob Edwards made the right decision in leaving promotion-chasing Middlesbrough to join a seemingly sinking ship. The manager, however, appears up for the fight.
Man Utd lineup: Cunha starts
Matheus Cunha scored in this fixture last season, a 2-0 win for Wolves. How they could do with the Brazilian tonight. The way the things have been going, it almost feels inevitable that Cunha will score for United tonight. Elsewhere, young centre-back Ayden Heaven retains his place with Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez on the bench. Joshua Zirkzee drops to the bench for Mason Mount.
Wolves lineup
For Wolves, Ladislav Krejci and Ki-Jana Hoever replace Joao Gomes and Jackson Tchatchoua. Jorgen Strand Larsen, with just one Premier League goal this season, leads the line.
Preview: Man Utd must bounce back from West Ham frustration
Good evening, and welcome to live coverage of Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United in the Premier League, as the visitors look to extend their unbeaten Premier League away run to five games. Meanwhile, Wolves start the day at the bottom of the table, with only two points from 14 games, eight adrift of Burnley in 19th and 13 points from safety.
Ruben Amorim’s side go into the fixture as strong favourites, hoping to bounce back after being held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at Old Trafford on Thursday night. A win at Molineux would move United into the top six – just one point off a guaranteed Champions League position.
Meanwhile, the hosts come into the game in terrible form, having suffered eight straight defeats in all competitions and failing to score in each of their past five matches.
Rob Edwards was appointed head coach last month to replace Vitor Pereira, but he has overseen the most recent three defeats. Despite the lack of goals, performances have shown signs of improvements, with their last two defeats coming by just a single goal.
If there are two crumbs of comfort for the Wolves faithful to cling on to, they are their side’s two standout victories over Manchester United last season, although the visitors have not lost back-to-back league games at Molineux for 45 years.
In terms of team news, Joao Gomes is unavailable for the hosts after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in their defeat by Nottingham Forest. The midfielder joins Daniel Bentley, Leon Chiwome, Fernando Lopez and Rodrigo Gomes on the sidelines.
Amorim expects central defender Matthijs de Ligt to be available for selection after the Dutchman missed the West Ham game because of a knock.
Leny Yoro might feature for the visitors following a substitute appearance on Thursday night, while Matheus Cunha is expected to play against his former club.
Finally, Benjamin Sesko remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Maguire looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.
2025-12-08T22:50:43Z