Manchester United lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux in the Premier League on Tuesday evening. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set his team a 15 point target in the remaining seven matches of the season, this defeat left them treading water with 18 points left to grab this season.
Scott McTominay scored the opening goal for United after a bright start to the game. Both Luke Shaw and Jesse Lingard combined nicely on the left, drawing the Wolves defence out before the ball was played to Fred. The Brazilian offloaded the ball to the Academy graduate who then fizzed his shot past Rui Patricio from 25-yards.
The lead in the match did not last long. David De Gea played the ball from the back to Fred, who got caught on the ball then lost possession. Wolves played two passes before Diogo Jota, assisted by Raúl Jiménez, equalised for the home side. Wolves were then pressuring United at every opportunity with the United side that started the game now looking poor.
Embed from Getty ImagesLuke Shaw was booked late in the first half, his tenth of the season meaning he missed the Premier League matches against West Ham United and Everton. Diogo Dalot was then booked four minutes later. In the second half, over a period of five minutes, Ashley Young was booked twice for challenges on Jota and was sent off, United down to ten men.
United conceded a second goal in the 77th minute of the game with Leander Dendoncker claiming the goal but it was poked into the net by Smalling. United had a lot to do to claim something from this game. Solskjaer made three changes with Phil Jones, Anthony Martial and Andreas Pereira replacing Fred, Romelu Lukaku and Dalot.M
Match Statistics:
Manchester United
1 David De Gea
United have not kept a clean sheet in their last six matches before this one, so it was certain that would continue. The Spaniard conceded to Jota, who was having a great season, giving United more to work for. Perhaps playing the ball out from the back to Fred was not the right thing to do against this progressive side?
18 Ashley Young
Poor performance from an experienced player. Booked in the 52nd minute for a challenge on Jota then five minutes later, send off for a second on the same player. United now have a mountain to climb.
Chris Smalling
United started well and got an early goal but from there it was turned upside down. Smalling's defending was shocking at times. He scored Wolves' second goal and nearly gifted them another in the last minute of normal time. Maybe his new contract should have waited until the end of the season. Who would want him now?
2 Victor Lindelof
I thought Lindelof was the better of the two central defenders against Wolves, but there was a lot to improve on. He might have been rusty, not playing for more than three weeks.
23 Luke Shaw
After putting in a MOTM match performance in Saturday, Shaw did not play all that well against Wolves. He got his tenth booking of the season, meaning he will miss the next two Premier League matches against West Ham United and Everton.
17 Fred
The Brazilian assisted for McTominay for United to open the scoring but that was not to last long as Fred was caught in possession 12 minutes later. Wolves made two passes when they gained possession and equalised. Fred should have had more control of the ball and the confidence to get rid of it, rather than get caught in possession. Fred had a shot on goal at the start of the second half, however, it flashed over the crossbar. Replaced by Jones in the 65th minute.
39 Scott McTominay
The Academy graduate opened up the scoring for United with his first competitive goal for the club, assisted by Fred. I wonder if those still criticising him were celebrating?
6 Paul Pogba
Dawdled for most of the game. Had many wondering if he was playing at times. Lacked urgency, desire, fight and everything else needed to play for Manchester United. His passing was not the best, especially the short ones. Maybe his head is in Madrid. Could he soon be there too?
Diogo Dalot
Started in a more advanced role, seemingly looking like United were turning a fullback into a winger. It did not work for United. Dalot was replaced by Pereira in the 84th minute.
Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian was fit to start in the absence of Marcus Rashford. He missed a perfect opportunity to score in the game, seeing his angled shot just drift wide of the far post. Lukaku needs to up his game if United are to finish strongly this season. His performance was not the best and he was replaced by Anthony Martial in the 73rd minute of the match.
14 Jesse Lingard
Got involved in the game but after McTominay scored the opener, Wolves took charge of the game. Lingard has some moments to look back on but nothing that changed the result. United have some soul searching to do ahead of the Barcelona match.
Substitutes
4 Phil Jones
Replaced Fred 65'. Brought on to shore up the defence after Wolves took charge of the game at 1-1. The defeat was not avoided.
9 Anthony Martial
Replaced Lukaku 73'. Had a chance to get something from the game but could not make it count for United. A bad day at the office? Maybe but this is becoming worrying.
Andreas Pereira
Replaced Dalot 84'. Came on late to add something to this side that was lacking a lot. Never got much involvement in trying to change the result.
Goals: Diogo Jota 25′, Chris Smalling o/g 77′; Scott McTominay 13′
Assists: Raúl Jiménez 25′; Fred 13′
Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred (Jones 65′), McTominay, Pogba; Dalot (Pereira 84′), Lukaku (Martial 73′), Lingard
Substitutes Not Used: Romero; Jones, Rojo; Mata, Matic
Bookings: Jonny 90+4′; Luke Shaw 38′, Diogo Dalot 42′, Ashley Young 52′, s/o 57′
