MAN UTD 0, WOLVES 1
If only Manchester United could replicate their Europa League form in the Premier League.
The Reds, unbeaten in 12 European ties, continue to toil domestically with this their 15th league loss of the campaign, their worst record in the Premier League era.
Only once since the Reds were relegated from the top-flight in 1973/74, when they lost 20 league matches, have they suffered more losses – that was 16 in the 1989/90 season.
It was an eighth league loss of the campaign at Old Trafford and far removed to the exhilarating 5-4 win against Olympique Lyonnais three days earlier as they find themselves languishing in 14th place in the table after this limp affair.
Substitute Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick late in the game secured maximum points as Wolves’ revival under head coach Vitor Pereira continued.
This was a fifth straight league win for Wolves, the first time they have achieved this in the top-flight since January 1972.
Wolves also secured a first league double against the Reds since 1979/80.
Since becoming head coach in December, Ruben Amorim has only won six of his 22 league games which is a wretched record.
Amorim said: “We were the better team, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t score goals as results matter.
“We created a lot of chances, and they [Wolves] had one opportunity and scored.”
Amorim was asked if this reinforced the need for a new striker.
He continued: “We will address that. We have a plan and speak every day. The season is not over, and we will not do anything until then.
“We are lacking a lot of things. My focus is on improving the team step by step. If is going to be like this for the rest of the season and then we will address it.
“All the team needs to score more goals, and we need to improve as a team.
“If you do not score goals, it is impossible to win games in this league.”
Pereira said: “In our job, the most important thing is to see the happiness of my players, supporters and the club. That is my satisfaction.
“United played well after their huge win in the middle of the week, and that gave them a lot of confidence.
“It was not our best match, but the spirit was there. Technically and tactically, we know that we can play better, but we played with true spirit from the players on the pitch and outside the pitch – they came on to help the team.
Embed from Getty Images“With our spirit in the right moment, we had a chance and won the game.
“We have quality in the squad. The confidence was not in a high level when we arrived, but we start to give them confidence and in the end the results help to build something. We are building something good for the future.”
United made five changes from the epic midweek match as 20-year-old Tyler Fredricson made his debut in defence.
There were also call ups for Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Harry Amass and Kobbie Mainoo.
The players standing down were captain Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Lenny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Casemiro.
Striker Matheus Cunha was one of two changes for a Wolves side looking to win five consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since 1970. Hugo Bueno replaced Matt Doherty in defence.
There was a further change when goalkeeper Jose Sa was injured in the pre-match warm up as he was replaced by Dan Bentley.
The on-going protests against the relocation of some long-standing season ticket holders away from their seats in front of the directors’ box continued with a series of banners unfurled.
There was an end-of-season feel to the match involving the 14th and 17th placed teams with nothing at stake for either side other than pride.
It was largely played at a pedestrian pace with both goalkeepers redundant until the 34th minutes when the Reds had their first clear-cut chance.
Eriksen’s free kick from 30 yards was arrowing towards the roof of the net until Bentley acrobatically turned the ball over the bar.
The Danish midfielder also caused havoc with a couple of inswinging corners which Bentley managed to divert to safety.
Alejandro Garnacho and Mainoo linked up well shortly before the break with the latter bending his shot just wide from outside the box.
It was a disappointing opening period in which Erikson’s free kick was the only shot on target.
The second half remained lukewarm and just short of the hour Amorim made a triple change as Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Mainoo made way for Dalot, Fernandes and Mason Mount.
Ganacho fired over a low cross from the left and Hojlund, sliding in at the far post, just failed to connect as he cannot buy a goal.
Hojlund became the third change as he was replaced by youngster Chido Obi.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute after Cunha was fouled by Eriksen just outside the box, for which the Dane was booked.
Wolves exacted further punishment when Sarabia, who had been barely on the pitch for three minutes, curled an exquisite free kick over the defensive wall and into the top corner.
It was the Spanish international midfielder’s third goal of the season.
United replaced Lindelof with Yoro before squandering a great chance to equalise.
Garnacho cut the ball back from the left but Mount skied a shot over the bar when he ought to have hit the target.
Mount had another great chance, firing over again as he stretched to meet Eriksen’s cross, another miss which summed up another frustrating afternoon.