Fa Cup Preview : Wolves vs Manchester United

Wolves vs Manchester United – Molineux Stadium – 04/01/2020 – KO: 17:31

Manchester United’s new year did not get off to a great start. Being outclassed, outplayed and outfought at the Emirates isn’t the best way to kick off the new year. However, Solskjaer’s men have a chance for retribution in the famous Fa Cup.

Wolves will be no easy fixture though if there’s one team Ole was hoping not to face it would be the boys from Wolverhampton. Nuno’s Wolves have proved to be a bogey team for Manchester United. The pressure on Solskjaer hasn’t subsided meaning on Saturday afternoon it’s time to pick the bogey…

How Do Manchester United Look?

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Manchester United are still in an injury lull. Paul Pogba’s absence from Arsenal and the Burnley fixture has left many scratching their heads. Ole has confirmed the Frenchman will remain sidelined for the next month after picking up a new injury. This one is a bone injury apparently, one his associates have said he needs surgery for, hence the extended absent period.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will also be without Mctominay, Bailly, Fosu Mensah and Tuanzebe for the trip to Wolves. Jesse Lingard and Martial will likely miss the Fa Cup fixture due to illness.

Opposition: Wolves

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Wolves have proved to be an enigma for all the top sides in the league, their system is constructed to disturb the best in world football. Manchester United have also suffered from the wrath of the wolves in the past season.

@Goldengoatsfanpage on Instagram was in hand to give us an insight into the Giant killers that are Wolves :

What are your feelings on Wolves this season?

‘I think we had a very scary start to the season with many draws coming in giving us the feel of second season syndrome coming in, but as the season progressed the confidence began to grow and at the current stage in the season I am very confident that we could push the 5th place in the league this year.’

Is the Fa Cup something you desperately want to win this season?

‘Personally I don’t feel the FA cup would be our main aspiration for this year and I think it would be a sensible idea to drop out and play the under 23’s based on the amount of games we have already played and the Europa games coming up. Still would be great to push on if possible and take wolves to Wembley for a round 2.’

Why have Wolves been so good against United in recent fixtures?

‘As of Wolves vs United, I think the last few games against you we have dominated the midfield and that is the reason for our success, I don’t think it helped you with the likes of Pogba corrupting all the players around him. And with the pressure we could apply through the centre we were just able to complete exploit your centre backs and wide players.’

How do you think the result will pan out?

As for the match tomorrow I predict wolves to win 2-1 again with Adama and Jota scoring. Possible that Greenwood scores for you with his current form. (if included in the squad).

Key Stats: Wolves vs United

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• Jota scored in both of Wolves’ victories against Manchester United at Molineux last season.
• Only Marcus Rashford (16) has scored more goals than Mason Greenwood (10) for Manchester United in all competitions this term.

My personal take on why United struggle against Wolves is down to the fact that they are a hybrid between a top side and a small side. Wolves have some top technical players like Jota, Jimenez, Neves and Moutinho, but their style of play is conservative like the smaller sides we come up against. The combination means they are the perfect foil to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s style of play. Hopefully, we have found a way to deal with that because who doesn’t love a good cup run.