Manchester United will face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux on Monday evening, their first away match of the 2019/20 Premier League season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping it will be third time lucky to get a win here, after losing twice there last season in both the league and the Emirates FA Cup, just 17 days apart. After the 4-0 victory over Chelsea last weekend, the clubs supporters will be expecting another good performance.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be impressed with the opening match of the Premier League season for his club, however, he will keep in mind what happened last season when United faced Wolves twice at the Molineux in both the Premier League and the Emirates FA Cup, losing twice to the same 2-1 scoreline. However, with a good pre-season under their belts and better squad fitness, it could be time to repay the supporters.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has played five competitive matches to start their season, playing four times in the UEFA Europa League qualifying, beating Crusaders 2-0 and 4-1 (6-1 on aggregate) and FC Pyunik 4-0 twice (8-0 on aggregate). Last weekend in their opening Premier League match, drawing 0-0 away to Leicester City will be something the Portuguese manager will be looking to overcome, aiming to keep their unbeaten run at home against United.
United has played Wolves 101 times with United winning 48 matches, drawing 17 and losing 36. United played Wolves three times last season, losing twice (both at the Molineux) in the Premier League and the Emirates FA Cup by the same 2-1 scoreline. At Old Trafford back in September, it was a 1-1 draw with Fred scoring his first goal for his club in the 11th minute and Joao Moutinho equalising in the 53rd minute. United need to continue their unbeaten run to the season (including pre-season).
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
David De Gea has been in good form during pre-season and started the Premier League season well against Chelsea, keeping his first clean sheet of the season. The Spanish number one will be boosted with the arrival of Harry Maguire, who has added a certain leadership quality to the back four, also his ability to control things at the back. De Gea will thrive with a defender such as Maguire playing in front of him this season.
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw
This back four is the best that United have at this moment in time. Luke Shaw is the one player that needs to up his game or the likes of Ashley Young or even Diogo Dalot could take the left-back position from him. Aaron Wan-Bissaka played well against Chelsea and Victor Lindelof and Maguire played well as a central defensive partnership – a sign of things to come this season?
Midfield: Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba
The midfield is the weakest area of United’s squad this summer with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay the stand out players right now. Both will be assured many matches together this season based on the work rate of McTominay and the ability of Pogba, which is something he will need to show a lot of this season, seeing as his brother is still posturing a move to Real Madrid. Pogba owes the supporters something this season but can he pull it out of the bag?
Attacking Midfield: Daniel James, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford
The is plenty of pace in the attacking ranks of United this season, which is great to see. Against Chelsea, Andreas Pereira played on the right but could lose his spot to Daniel James, who has a great debut at Old Trafford, scoring his first goal for the club. Jesse Lingard should keep his place in the number ten role, with Marcus Rashford playing on the left flank, changing positions at times during the match with Anthony Martial, who will be leading the line at the Molineux.
Striker: Anthony Martial
The Frenchman has a goal to his name already this season with Rashford scoring twice against Chelsea, one from the penalty spot. Both players will be boosted after a good pre-season and a great start to the season, despatching Chelsea with a 4-0 victory at the Theatre of Dreams. Martial seems to be happy to have his number nine shirt back, which saw his best season at the club and could well bring his best form back – not that everything is aligned to shirt numbers. Long may his form develop and continue.
Substitutes: Sergio Romero; Ashley Young, Axel Tuanzebe; Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira, Nemanja Matic; Mason Greenwood
The bench could be something that Solskjaer needs to delve into in order to get his first three points on the road this season. Last week against Chelsea, Daniel James, Juan Mata and Mason Greenwood all came off the bench, although the match was won by the time this happened. Axel Tuanzebe will be a big player on the bench, a player who is ready to carve his way into the first team this season.
