Match Report
For the second game week in a row, United kicked off tonight following the completion of all other Premier League games. The advantage of this was knowing that a win could once again propel Manchester United up the league table from 12th to 6th.
This is having already witnessed some perceived shock results with Aston Villa beating league leaders Arsenal, Liverpool once again dropping points; this time away at Leeds and Chelsea failing to beat Bournemouth. Many of the United players would have also sat through the toe-curling cringey farce that was the World Cup 2026 draw on Friday evening.
But before any of United's international players could cast their eyes to North America, they had a Monday evening date with the Premier League's bottom side Wolves. A side who have failed to win a game all season, and are sat rooted to the bottom with a meagre 2 points. But with a new manager in situ, the Molineux crowd would be hoping to cash in on a new manager bounce to begin turning their own fortunes around. This was made all the more conceivable considering Manchester United's struggle to find consistency, and coming off the back of two disappointing home results against both Everton and West Ham respectively.
Considering all those factors and permutations, it made for a cracking end to an already exciting Premier League game weekend. Question remained, could United get the job done in the West Midlands?
Notable team news saw Cunha return to his former club and started up top for the Red Devils, whilst Mason Mount was recalled to the starting line up and youngster Heaven retained his place; despite a few questionable moments in their last game.
Wolves, who set up with a similar system to that of United would be relying heavily on their talisman Strand Larsen from the off and former United keeper Johnstone started between the sticks for the home side. Both hoping to affect the game positively at both ends of the pitch.
As the game kicked off, it didn't take long for United to test their old shot stopper. Who they forced into early saves from Dalot; who found himself through on goal, and then produced a smart save from an instinctive Mbeumo half volley from the resulting corner.
Although the game continued largely to be defence versus attack, United had to remain vigilant to the breakaway threat presented largely by Larsen, Bellegarde and Arias. As they were not afraid to put themselves about and pressure United's young centre back and Belgian shot stopper when given half a chance.
For all of Wolves' woes this season they have managed to keep a large portion of sides at bay in the first half; especially since Rob Edwards took the helm. That, unfortunately for them was not the case in this one. As Andre found himself dawdling on the ball and dispossessed putting old boy Cunha through on goal. Instead of taking the strike himself he squared it to his captain who despite a slip managed to engineer a scuffed shot goal ward. Which found its way somehow squirming into the bottom corner. Certainly won't be a goal of the month contender. But United won't care, 1-0.
It could and possibly should have got better for the visitors as moments later Cunha saw yet another chance to score against his old side spurned. As his attempt was cleared off the line whilst Amad struck wide from the rebound. Huge let off!
Belief from the home side did start to grow after that, with some nice passages of play which raised the noise inside Molineaux. Andre failed to pick out Larsen having got in behind, and Bellegarde blazed high and wide. But all of a sudden the home side had some belief, with the winger looking the most likely.
As the clock ticked close to half time that belief turned into prosperity as that man Bellegarde capitalised sliding and getting himself on the end of a bouncing ball into the box, and steer it brilliantly into the bottom corner just before the break, a break the home side wouldn't have wanted to see. 1-1 and half time. Wolves jubilation and a goal to finally savour. Would there be more to offer in the second?
The second started like large swathes of the first, as Amorim appeared to send his side out meaning business. Cunha again found himself with a few opportunities to get one over on his old team. But it was to be United's other summer signing Bryan Mbeumo who would restore United lead in the 51st minute. Rolling the ball into an empty net, converting from Dalot's square pass, following a devastating sweeping attacking move by United, 2-1. As anyone who has followed United this season, the team never seem to be more vulnerable than after they score, and following the goal a few hair raising moments came for the away side as they rode their luck. Another was surely needed.
Another that dully came just after the hour mark. As another wonderful free flowing United attack culminated in a deliciously shipped ball from Bruno Fernandes. Who picked out the onside run from Mount, who plucked it out of the sky and finished with a plomb. 3-1, surely game over? Despite the two goal advantage United continued to press with goal scorer Mount, Casemiro and Amad producing some lovely forward passes and sustained attacks, moving the team from front to back with great effect. Although that elusive Cunha goal, was still eluding the away side, despite the attackers best and most determined efforts.
Mainoo would get his moment, as on the 77th minute the academy star made his way on to the pitch, the same pitch which saw the youngster produce a moment of magic last season, and thrust the midfielder into the limelight. The away fans cheered the players arrival with the same vigour as a goal, and those away cheers got even louder only minutes later when United were awarded a penalty for hand ball. The ever reliable Fernandes stepped up and slotted it into the side of the goal. No chance for the keeper, no doubt, 4-1 United. If it wasn't before, it certainly was game over now.
Ironic jeers from the home fans echoed around Molineaux upon the announcement of 9 minutes of stoppage time. Amid similar jeers made every time the home side made a successful pass. Full Time, United win. A win that sees them jump up to 25 points, level on points with Chelsea. Whilst Wolves still only have their 2 league points and with that loss confirms they will be bottom at Christmas, and will likely begin planning for Championship football next season.
It certainly doesn't get easier for the home side as they face an away trip to Arsenal at the weekend, whilst United will once again have to wait until next Monday night to host Bournemouth, to see if they themselves can build on what was a largely positive night in Wolverhampton.
