Match Review: Wolves 1-2 Manchester United

An exciting and youthful Manchester United wreak havoc at the Molineux Stadium with a win over Wolves, ensuring heightened spirits before the Europa League Final.

How did Manchester United set up?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to the team that drew 1-1 to relegated Fulham at Old Trafford. Dean Henderson, Brandon Williams, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek, Amad Diallo, Juan Mata, Anthony Elanga and Daniel James returning to a much more rotated, yet exuberant Manchester United team. 

There were countless performances on display inside a packed Molineux Stadium, van de Beek shone from deep through his intelligence and Amad caught the eye by expressing his exceptional pace and creativity. Not to mention Tuanzebe who played like a composed and inspiring CB.

The Team

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Dean Henderson(GK); Brandon Williams(RB), Eric Bailly(CB), Axel Tuanzebe(CB), Alex Telles(LB); Nemanja Matic(DM), Donny van de Beek(CM), Juan Mata(AM); Anthony Elanga(LW), Amad Diallo(CF), Daniel James(RW)

How it went down

With 4,500 supporters returning to Molineux, Wolves started with intent but it was United who had the early chances with the best falling to Elanga who scored a brilliant header after James found him with an excellent cross within the first 13 minutes.

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But the best move of the first half brought the equaliser when Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker combined well for Fabio Silva to set up Semedo for a low finish into the net.

That had the Molineux rocking until drama late in the half when Van de Beek’s run across the face of goal drew a foul from Romain Saiss that caused Mike Dean to overturn his own decision after a VAR review.

Mata converted the penalty kick with a confident strike past Rui Patricio and this young United side went into the break with the advantage – and they had a huge chance to extend the lead before the hour mark.

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In the second half, after some further United dominance, a lively James found himself on the end of finely weighted Amad through ball in behind Conor Coady. He found himself one-on-one with Patricio but the Welshman’s attempt at a dink over the goalkeeper was a poor one that trickled awkwardly wide.

At the other end, Wolves attempted to up the ante but created little beyond a couple of long-range shots from Morgan Gibbs-White and Willy Boly. One of their most notable opportunities was snuffed out by Axel Tuanzebe who was dominant all afternoon when he did brilliantly blocked two strikes from Silva.

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United saw the game out comfortably enough to ensure a couple of first-team debuts. The highly-rated Hannibal Mejbri along with 18-year-old Will Fish were both introduced. The former of the two even caught the eye with some neat touches and a cheeky nutmeg on Boly.

Final Score: 1-2

Anthony Elanga, Nélson Semedo, Juan Mata(P)

Where does this leave Manchester United?

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After a positive performance ended their run of three games without a win and a good Premiership season Manchester United will now face Emery’s Villarreal in Gdansk, knowing that a Europa League win would inspire a winning mentality and morale to breed success.

Player Ratings: Wolves 1-2 Manchester United