Wolves earn point
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 v Manchester United 1
The Ashes may have three tests still to go but already we are at the tail end of week two of the new Premier League Football season. Such is football’s dominance. It was back in April when Manchester United last turned up at Molineux the game ending in a second successive win as Wolves outplayed their more wealthy rivals. In the intervening months things at WV1 have remained relatively settled in contrast to matters up north where transfer speculation over the destination of the mercurial Paul Pogba has overshadowed pre season preparation. That and the not insignificant outlay on central defender Harry McGuire.
It was the first half performances of these two contrasting personalities that caught the eye and which were instrumental in seeing United end the half with a slender lead. In contrast to the game in April and the earlier FA Cup Quarter Final the visitors both dominated and look dangerous in possession. An early indication of intent came on the quarter hour when Marcus Rashford turned Ryan Bennett inside out before sending in a cross which evaded everyone. Then in minute 26 neat interplay between Jessie Lingard and Rashford set Anthony Martial free and he made no mistake with his left footed strike. Thereafter United continued to threaten Pogba pulling the strings in midfield whilst at the back McGuire marshalled the defence, Wolves struggling to find any fluidity with Diogo Jota too often ceding possession.
1-0 down at half time it was a different Wolves who came out following the break. In minute 54 Raul Jiminez hit an upright with a glancing header from a Joao Mouthino free kick. United failed to deal adequately with the rebound and from the ensuing corner Mouthino fed Ruben Neves free on the edge of the penalty box. Manoeuvring the ball from underneath his feet the ensuring curling strike went in off the underside of the bar as Molineux erupted … only to be quelled when the referee sought confirmation from VAR. It’s got all the excitement of a Puritan on a pub-crawl. But having received rousing support from the Southbank, the adjudication thankfully went in favour of the home side.
Despite the set back United continued to press and in minute 67 Pogba burst into the Wolves box, going down rather too easily when Conor Coady made a half hearted tackle. From the ensuing penalty the Frenchman stepped forward with his trademark swagger only to have his effort saved by Rui Patricio. United continued to knock the ball around at ease without ever really threatening the Wolves goal whilst at the other end Adama Traore kept the crowd entertained with the odd moment of jollity, one an excellent cross which should have been converted by Castro Otto. And that was just about it.
This season Wolves have been tipped as one of the favoured teams to break into the top six. Let’s trust Manager Nuno keeps expectation grounded.
Wolves: Patricio 8, Bennett 6, Coady 7, Boly 6, Doherty 6 Sub Traore 7, Castro Otto 6, Dendoncker 6, Neves 8, Moutinho 7, Jota 6 Sub Neto, Jimenez 6 Sub Cutrone
Manchester United: De Gea 6, Wan Bissaka 6, Lindelof 6, McGuire 7, Shaw 6, Pogba 6, McTominay 6, Lingard 5 Sub Mata, James 6 Sub Greenwood, Rashford 6 Sub Pereira, Martial 7
Attendance: 31,314
Referee: Jonathan Moss 8
©Mark Brennand