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.
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).
Key Players: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has many key players at his disposal this season but so does Nuno Espírito Santo so this has all the ingredients to be a good match.
Manchester United: David De Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Paul Pogba, Daniel James, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Rui Patricio, Matt Doherty, Ryan Bennett, Willy Boly, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Leander Dendoncker, Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota
Key Battles: Harry Magure, Paul Pogba, and Anthony Martial to battle with Diogo Jota, Leander Dendoncker, and Ryan Bennett in the match at the Molineux on Monday.
Harry Maguire v Diogo Jota
Harry Maguire will have a busy start to his career at Manchester United after making the switch from Leicester City this summer. During his debut, against Chelsea, Maguire played well and helped United find their best defensive partnership since Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left the club. It is early days though and there will be some tough times. The fact that Maguire is at United and seeking to bring back the glory days of the past, he will be a great addition to the squad.
Diogo Jota has been lively during the matches Wolves have played so far this season. Wolves have only scored in the UEFA Europa League with Jota scoring twice and registering six assists, three in one match. However, the opposition played was not the best so against United and Maguire, the Portuguese forward could have finally met his match. He was the clubs top scorer last season and is well on his way to another great scoring and assisting season.
Paul Pogba v Leander Dendoncker
The Frenchman needs to understand that he is a Manchester United player and whilst representing this great club, he needs to be putting in 100% effort at all times. His brother has spoken able him wanting to leave the club again and it has led to many not finding excuses for him anymore. If he wants to leave, he should have ensured that United could have replaced him but now that the window has closed, he needs to put his head down and play for this club. Putting in 100% effort is needed now, otherwise, there will no nowhere for him to hide.
Pogba will be tasked with adding creativity to the United team based on the fact that Scott McTominay, if he plays, will most likely be the defensive minded midfielder, protecting the back four. In his creative role, Pogba will be up against former Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker, who has played well since joining the West Midlands in the summer of 2018. Pogba, if on his game, could get the better of the Belgian.
Anthony Martial v Ryan Bennett
Anthony Martial seems to be loving life at Manchester United again following the departure of Romelu Lukaku and the return of his favoured number nine shirt. The Frenchman scored against Chelsea last weekend with Marcus Rashford scoring twice. Martial has led the line more often than not during pre-season with Solskjaer seemingly preferring the Frenchman, although he does swap positions with Rashford during a match, which will be tricky for the oppositions defence.
Martial could find himself battling Ryan Bennett, who has been a rock at the back since the club rose from the Championship the season before last. Bennett has played four times this season, scoring one goal. In defence though, where he is tricky, he has made seven interceptions and seven clearances, making three tackles. Martial will need to be on his game to help his team inspire a victory at the Molineux in order to turn their back on the poor performances and results there last season.
