Manchester United sank even further down the Premier League table after a 1-0 loss to red-hot Wolves at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Pablo Sarabia came off the bench to nail a free kick and three points for the visitors, who have won five-straight matches in the Premier League.
WATCH – Manchester United v Wolves
Ruben Amorim’s United, meanwhile, would kindly like to leave the Premier League alone until next season, as his much-changed XI got little done in the aftermath of an emotional Europa League triumph over Lyon at midweek.
Wolves join 14th-place United on 38 points but are five goals back of the Red Devils on goal differential.
Bruno Fernandes shows importance off- and on-the-pitch
Manchester United did very, very little for 58 minutes with captain Bruno Fernandes earning a rest after a crazy Thursday in the Europa League. All he did once arriving to the game was produce the fixture’s most shot attempts (4) and third-most passes into the final third (8). This team is almost nothing without its captain. Notable days from Patrick Dorgu and young Tyler Fredericson don’t change that, as the Red Devils have reinforced their need for difference-makers time and time again. Wolves have improved quite a bit, to be sure, and Vitor Pereira is doing more with less than Amorim, but that buries the lede — Man United have low- or no-confidence players and very few to carry the team when its sluggish.
Vitor Pereira’s confidence oozes from Wolves
Vitor Pereira showed up at Wolves and — to paraphrase — the Portuguese boss said that the then-bottom-three club was just a little bit of time from easily being safe on the table. It took more than a little time but the club was almost always on the upswing under Pereira. Yes, their five-straight wins came against bottom-half sides even if two of them are Spurs and Man United, but look at the rosters up-and-down the Premier League and you’ll see that this Wolves teams— Matheus Cunha future and possible replacement pending — could be top-half next season with Pereira.
Manchester United vs Wolves player ratings
(via fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Wolves player ratings (via fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Wolves player ratings (via fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Man United go to Bournemouth at 9am ET Sunday before heading to Athletic Bilbao on May 1 to start the Europa League semifinal round.
Wolves go for a sixth-straight Premier League win on Saturday versus Leicester City.
How to watch Manchester United vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Manchester United vs Wolves final score: 0-1
Pablo Sarabia 78'
Manchester United vs Wolves live updates
Pablo Sarabia free kick goal — Manchester United 0-1 Wolves (78th minute)
He’s only been in the game a minute, but he arrived on the pitch in fine shape for a left-footed free kick goal.
Super shot.
Both sides making changes
As if on cue, Chido Obi takes the place of the slumping Hojlund.
Wolves are set for a double switch momentarily. 0-0, 70'
Hojlund’s drought on display
Bruno Fernandes immediately changes the game, and he helps Alejandro Garnacho into position for what’s sure to be an assist.
The pass goes through the six to the back post but a sliding Rasmus Hojlund can’t get a foot on the ball.
How many “almosts” can one man have in a season?1
Manchester United triple sub
Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Mason Mount enter in a real infusion of flair for Mainoo, Dorgu — who may have been the side’s Man of the Match through 58 minutes — and Ugarte.
0-0.
No subs but a promising start
Rasmus Hojlund cranks a shot toward goal from an acute angle and United have a corner that eventually leads to another.
We’re seeing something!
Halftime — Man United 0-0 Wolves
That was a low-event 45 minutes.
Man United controlled the ball but managed to only take three shots. Fortunately for the hosts, Wolves only attempted one.
Combined xG is 0.11. Oof.
Better from Man Utd
The Red Devils were somehow offended by our initial post.
They look better with the ball now, and Jeremy Dorgu is especially bright.
Still 0-0 despite a corner kick or two for the hosts. 31'.
What’s going on here?
Not much, as we’re seeing the answer to the question “What would Man United look like without Bruno Fernandes?”
Things are just not connecting, and Ruben Amorim should send this 20 minutes to his transfer council every morning until the end of the summer transfer window.
0-0, 22'.
Late goalkeeper chaneh
No, it’s nothing to do with Andre Onana.
Jose Sa is not feeling well according to reports. With Sam Johnstone out injured, it’ll be Darren Bentley between the posts for Wolves.
About to kick off at Old Trafford.
Who is Tyler Fredericson?
It’s not just a first Premier League start but also a Manchester United senior debut for 20-year-old back Tyler Fredericson.
Capped twice by England at the U-18 and U-17 levels, Fredericson is a center back who has been with the academy for ages.
He first made the bench in 2022 when Erik ten Hag was in charge of the club, so this is a long time coming for the youngster.
Manchester United lineup
Onana, Fredricson, Lindelof, Mazraoui, Amass, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dorgu, Eriksen, Garnacho, Hojlund
Wolves lineup
Sa, Semedo, Bueno, Agbadou, T. Gomes, Ait-Nouri, Andre, J. Gomes, Munetsi, Cunha, Strand Larsen
Manchester United vs Wolves preview
The Red Devils 38 points currently have them 14th, just two points ahead of 15th-place Spurs and three clear of 16th-place Wolves and 17th-place West Ham.
Ruben Amorim’s Man United are well clear of the bottom three but as close to 17th as 11th. They are coming off a humbling loss to Newcastle United and will have to shake off the emotions produced and energy expended during their incredible comeback win in the Europa League quarterfinal second leg against Lyon on Thursday. Amorim’s side rallied from being 4-2 down in extra time to win 5-4 amid wonderful scenes at Old Trafford, as they now face Athletic Bilbao in the semifinals.
Vitor Pereira’s Wolves are red hot, winners of four-straight in the Premier League albeit against fellow bottom-half sides Southampton, West Ham, Ipswich Town, and Tottenham Hotspur. Man United are also bottom-half, of course, but wins at Old Trafford still carry mystique even as they’ve become relatively-commonplace.
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Joshua Zirkzee (thigh - MORE), Matthijs de Ligt (ankle), Ayden Heaven (leg - MORE), Amad Diallo (ankle - out for season), Jonny Evans (lower back), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Toby Collyer (knock)
Wolves team news, focus
OUT: Pedro Lima (ankle), Sam Johnstone (muscular), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Enso Medina (knee), Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Leon Chiwome (knee - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Hee-chan Hwang (muscular), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (knock), Matt Doherty (knock)
Manchester United vs Wolves prediction
There are far too many variables to consider Man United strong favorites here — fitness, injuries, form, and more. When all’s said and done, there’s little to divide these two other than reputation, and that matters little over 90 minutes. Manchester United 1-1 Wolves.
