Wolves hosted Manchester United at Molineux Stadium on the last day of the calendar year. The visitors sealed a hard fought victory to climb into Champions League places.
First-half: Wolves 0-0 Manchester United
The visitors came close to scoring in early stages of the match. Christian Eriksen found Carlo Casemiro through a corner-kick, but the Brazillian flicked the ball over the bar.
Alejandro Garnacho was presented with a big opportunity following a horrendous mistake from Wolves defence, however the young star failed to capitalize.
Nelson Semedo played a back pass which fell into the path of Garnacho. However, the goalkeeper made himself big enough to deny Alejandro an opener.
Daniel Podence and Diego Costa had an interchange of passes before the latter squared the ball to Hwang Hee-Chan. The South Korea international fired home but Aaron Wan-Bissaka blocked his effort to keep the scoreline intact.
On the 37th minute, Garnacho jinxed away from Semedo and crossed the ball from close yard. Antony’s header went straight into the path of Jose Sa.
First-half scoreline finished at 0-0. It was a pretty average performance from both sides, but the visitors created more chances.
Second-half: Wolves 0-1 Manchester United
Marcus Rashford was introduced in the second-half for Garnacho. The introduction of Marcus completely changed the atmosphere of the game.
Adama Traore was also introduced in the second-half and straight away he bypassed through United players before playing a quality cross. Unfortunately, no one picked up the cross.
On the 55th minute, United was awarded with a free-kick from close range. Bruno Fernandes smashed it hopelessly well over the bar.
Three minutes later, Wolves won a free-kick from a promising position. Ruben Neves stepped up and curled the ball to the top corner, but de Gea leaped over to pounce it behind.
Rashford broke the deadlock when he held off Jonny before firing past the goalkeeper to hand Manchester United the lead.
Once again Rashford came to the party when he strucked his shot on target, but Sa made a brilliant save. The ball ricochet off Rashford to rebound in.
The goal was ruled out after a lengthy check by VAR in what appeared to be a handball on rebound. Celebrations from the visitors were cut shot.
On the 89th minute, Donny Van de Beek served Fernandes with a quality pass, but his effort on target was tame.
Wolves applied pressure in the closing stages of the match. The hosts whipped a corner from the left side into Raul Jimenez. The Spaniard headed home but his effort was saved by de Gea.
The match finished at 1-0 to Manchester United, courtesy to the goal by the inform Rashford.
Marcus Rashford masterclass
Rashford was presented with Player of the Match award. He has now won the award on two conservative games following his masterclass performance against Nottingham, as reported by United Radar.
Manchester Evening News quoted the remarks of Rashford during his post-match interview. The 25-year-old said:
“The finish is always the best bit,” Rashford added, reflecting on his match-winning contribution. “When the ball hit the back of the net it’s a great feeling.”
Rashford added: “I just thought the overall build-up to the goal was good. They are a difficult team to break down.”
“At that moment they were five-at-the-back as well so there was not that much space to play with, but we managed to find the gaps and make it count.”
“I’m in a good place, I’m just pleased with the way we’re progressing,” he said.
Marcus started on the bench following an “internal-disciplinary” as quoted by Ten Hag prior to the match. Luke Shaw further spoke on the punishment of Rashford, as noted by the Mirror:
“I think at a top club it has to be like that, people can’t do whatever they want.”
“Maybe that’s been part of the problem in the past with people getting away with silly little things but the manager takes that into consideration.”
Shaw continued: “You see today, if you’re not keeping the standards high then you won’t play.”
Luke did not hesitate to praise Rashford: “I think he’s in a good way at the moment, extremely confident, positive, happy and it’s nice to see.”
“Everyone knows the quality he’s got, he’s class and he can be one of the best in the world if he keeps going”, the left-back added.
Rashford took full responsibility: “Yeah it’s team rules, I think it’s a mistake that can happen but [I’m] disappointed not to play but I understand the decision.”
“Ultimately, I’m happy we managed to win the game anyway so we can draw a line under it and move on. I was a little bit late for a meeting, I overslept, it can happen.”
United climb into Champions League places
Manchester United climbed into top four for the first time in the 2022/23 campaign. This became a poetic end to the calender year for United.
Manchester City and Newcastle United drew. United is now four points behind City and two points behind Newcastle with a game in hand.
The club is in good position to climb into second position, and potentially push Arsenal in the Premier League title chase.
