Manchester United have David De Gea to thank after the Reds endured a pressurised assault from Wolves who earned a point from the game at Old Trafford – Joao Moutinho’s second half goal cancelled out Fred’s first half opener.
Both Rui Patricio and De Gea had saves to make but De Gea’s eye-catching stops preserved a point for Jose Mourinho’s side on a day when the visitors could come away with all three points.
There were four changes for United, with Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic suspended domestically, Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial also stepped down from the team that started in Switzerland.
Marouane Fellaini, Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia returned to the team which lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Sir Alex Ferguson was warmly welcomed back to Old Trafford for the first time since his brain haemorrhage.
Wolves could have raced into a three goal lead within minutes of the start but were rescued by David De Gea and the Reds instead found themselves 1-0 up after Fred scored his first United goal and could have had another from a free kick in first half injury time but for a great save by Rui Patricio.
The Reds were sleeping after Paul Pogba lost the ball in midfield and Wolves equalised shortly after the restart. United raised the tempo for the rest of the game but Wolves continued to troubled the Reds and De Gea saved them a point.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
David De Gea 9. Back to his best. Early save with his feet to deny Jimenez and dealt with Willy Boly and Matt Doherty’s header as Wolves started strongly. No chance for Joao Moutinho’s rocket of an equaliser in the second half but saved a long range effort from Ruben Neves and certain goals by Adama Traore late on.
Antonio Valencia. 6. Passing and crossing slightly wayward after midweek rest. Slow to react to Raul Jimenez run which ended with the goal.
Victor Lindelof. 6. Shaky early start but gained in confidence. Missing when Helder Costa was charging into the area after Paul Pogba lost the ball.
Chris Smalling. 6. Struggled early on under aerial assault.
Luke Shaw. 6. Under pressure from Raul Jimenez and finally got booked for a foul on him.
Marouane Fellaini. 6. Shielded the back four decently but Wolves attacked incessantly from out wide.
Fred. 7. Took his first United goal well and had a free kick palmed onto the post by Rui Patricio. Sacrificed in the second half.
Paul Pogba. 7. Great touch for Fred’s goal. All action presence in the second half but lost the ball for Wolves equaliser.
Jesse Lingard. 6. Had a curling second half effort palmed away by Rui Patricio.
Romelu Lukaku. 6. Big presence up front but little service and offside when he headed wide in the second half with the goal at his mercy.
Alexis Sanchez. 5. Tried hard on his return to the team but shooting not up to par and quite greedy.
Anthony Martial (on for Alexis Sanchez 63): 6. Wayward.
Juan Mata (on for Fred 63): 6. Not enough options ahead of him.
Andreas Pereira (on for Jesse Lingard 75): 6.
GOALS
18. Despite dominating possession, United had few chances until Paul Pogba laid the ball off with a great touch to Fred whose 18 yard shot beat Rui Patricio to open the scoring
52. Joao Moutinho thrashes the ball home from the edge of the box after running onto a deflected lay off from Raul Jimenez off Antonio Valencia following a cut back by Helder Costa
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, Fellaini, Fred (Martial 63), Pogba, Lingard (A Pereira 75), Lukaku, Sanchez (Mata 63)
Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Bailly, Young, McTominay
Booked: Shaw 40
Goal: Fred 18
Wolves: Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Moutinho (Saiss 80), Neves, Castro, Costa (Traore 75), Jota (Gibbs-White 87), Jimenez
Wolves Subs not used: Ruddy, Vinagre, Hause, Bonatini
Booked: Neves 61
Goal: Moutinho 52
Attendance: 74,489