Four star United surge past wretched Wolves
A second-half goal spree saw Man Utd overwhelm bottom club Wolves and back into Champions League contention. Despite conceding an equaliser just before the break, goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount along with a Bruno Fernandes penalty, the reds ran out comfortable winners. It keeps up their strong record on the road recently.
It was another dismal experience for the home side though. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde gave them hope of getting a rare positive result with his first of the season. It was as good as it got and the club are facing into a bleak Christmas.
Ruben Amorim made one change from the disappointing draw with West Ham on Thursday. Mason Mount came into the starting lineup ahead of Joshua Zirkzee with former Wolves player Mattheus Cunha leading the line. Kobee Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Lisandro Martinez remained on the bench. Joao Gomes was suspended for the home side and was replaced by Ki-Jana Hoever. Ladislav Krejci returned instead of Jackson Tchatchoua.
It was a strange atmosphere at the beginning given that many home fans had delayed taking their seats in protest against the board. Those in the ground almost saw a lead goal for United after eight minutes. Brun Fernandes played a long ball over the top. It caught out the home defense and Diogo Dalot found himself clear on goal. The fullback shot across goal but Sam Johnstone was able to palm it away. He was called into action from the resulting corner to deny Bryan Mbeumo with a smart save.
It was pretty much one way traffic and no surprise when the away side went in front on 23 minutes. It was a comedy of errors at the back from Wolves though. Andre was caught dithering on the ball by Casemiro and the ball came loose to Mattheus Cunha through on goal. He elected to pass to Fernandes rather than shoot himself. The Utd captain slipped but still managed to get a shot away which squirmed past Johnstone.
It could have been two moments later. Mbeumo went through after a clever ball from Fernandes only to see his effort blocked. Cunha’s rebound was blocked on the line and Amad Diallo shot wide. Jorgen-Strand Larsen was then forced to head over his own bar from a teasing cross by Dalot towards Cunha.
It was therefore a surprise when Wolves scored just before the break. Ki-Jana Hoever played a cross to the back post which was played back into the area by David Moller Wolfe. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde slid in to poke it home. It was the Haitian’s first goal for the club.
Wolves needed to keep up that momentum into the second-half if they were to get anything. It was the away side who found themselves back in front though. From their own area, United broke with pace. Cunha played a ball out to Dalot who laid it back inside to Mbeumo to slot past the stranded Johnstone. The forward has now scored four times against Wolves.
The game was still in the balance but Utd took a firm grip on the game just past the hour mark. Fernandes had a goalbound shot blocked but managed to retrieve the ball. He clipped a cross over the defense where Mason Mount timed his run to volley home from close range. It was his second in successive away games. Cunha could have landed a fourth but his header was saved by Johnstone.
Kobee Mainoo got a huge cheer upon his entrance and he was immediately into the action. He was in the goalmouth to attack a corner by Fernandes which came out to Diallo. He had two efforts blocked but the first was called back by VAR for handball by Yerson Mosquera. Fernandes stepped up to slot it into bottom corner.
Despite nine minutes injury time played, United were unable to add to their advantage. There was also no appearance for Shea Lacey. United now have another Monday night game as they take on Bournemouth at home. Wolves face into the daunting trip away to league leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sam Johnstone, Yerson Mosquera, Ki-Jana Hoever (Jackson Tchatchoua 86), Emmanuel Agbadou, Toti Gomes (Mateus Mane 70), David Moller Wolfe, Neto Andre, Ladislav Krejci, Jean-Ricer Bellegarde, Jhon Arias (Hugo Bueno 70), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Toluwalase Arokodare 70).
Subs not used: Jose Sa, , Santiago Bueno, Hee-Chan Hwang, , Tawande Chirewa, Fernando Lopez.
Booked: Jorgen Strand Larsen (44), Ladislav Krejci (47)
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot (Patrick Dorgu 84), Ayden Heaven (Lisandro Martinez 70), Luke Shaw, Casemiro (Kobee Mainoo 79), Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui (Leny Yoro 70), Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, Mattheus Cunha, Mason Mount (Joshua Zirkzee 84).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte, Shea Lacey.
Booked: Bryan Mbeumo (38), Joshua Zirkzee (90+7)
Sent off: None
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 30,338
Simply Red Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
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