In an intense opening match of the Premier League, Manchester United managed to clinch a narrow 1-0 victory against Wolves, thanks to a crucial goal from center-back Raphael Varane. The match took place on August 14th, and the solitary goal proved to be the decisive factor in the encounter.
Despite playing on home turf, Manchester United struggled to impose their dominance on the opposition. Wolves, a team that had a poor away record last season and underwent a recent change in their coaching staff, showed remarkable unity on the field. The away team unleashed a total of 23 shots and had a higher expected goals (xG) score of 2.14 compared to Manchester United’s 1.49. However, after squandering several chances, Wolves paid the price. Manchester United’s defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Raphael Varane combined brilliantly in the 76th minute, resulting in the lone goal of the match and securing three points for the “Red Devils.”
Both before and after Varane’s goal, Manchester United had to rely on luck to keep a clean sheet. In the early moments of the second half, Wolves’ forward Matheus Cunha struck the post from a mere five meters away. Towards the end of the game, newcomer goalkeeper Andre Onana inadvertently punched Sasa Kalajdzic in the head, but VAR confirmed no foul within the penalty area.
A denied penalty call brought relief to Manchester United fans, as their goal faced frequent threats throughout the match. Onana, making his Premier League debut, was busy with six saves in the second half alone. In the first half, the Cameroonian goalkeeper was equally engaged as the ball continuously passed through his legs, highlighting Manchester United’s struggle to execute their game plan.
New striker Rasmus Hojlund’s absence led to Marcus Rashford taking a central role instead of his usual wing position. The attacking wingers for Manchester United in this game, Garnacho and Antony, both underperformed, while newcomer Mason Mount struggled alongside Casemiro in midfield.
Many standout players for Wolves in this match were brought in by Julen Lopetegui, who departed the team just three days before the league opener. Despite losing several key players, Wolves showcased promising elements under new coach Gary O’Neil. Matheus Cunha was the standout performer, displaying impressive ball control and runs. The Brazilian forward had the most promising opportunities, though luck wasn’t on his side. He missed a chance against Onana in the first half, hit the crossbar in the second half, and couldn’t beat Manchester United’s goalkeeper in the final moments of the game.
Manchester United’s offensive efforts improved slightly when Jadon Sancho and Christian Eriksen substituted in for Garnacho and Mount. Wan-Bissaka, the standout player on the home side, delivered a precise cross from Bruno Fernandes’ pass, allowing Varane to head the ball into the net, sparking jubilation at Old Trafford.
Former captain Harry Maguire remained on the bench despite Manchester United reaching an agreement to sell him to West Ham. Despite Lisandro Martinez suffering a minor injury and being substituted off at halftime, Maguire wasn’t utilized. Victor Lindelof replaced the Argentine defender. However, Lindelof didn’t bring much reassurance in the final 45 minutes, as Manchester United’s defense continuously wavered.
Manchester United was one of the seven teams to secure three points in the opening round. Their challenge intensifies in the second round as they face a tough away fixture against Tottenham. Wolves, on the other hand, will return home to host Brighton in the upcoming round.
Player Ratings:
Andre Onana (GK) with 6 exceptional saves was rated 8.0
Wan-Bissaka contributed an assist and was instrumental in the goal, rated 8.1
Varane’s match-winning goal earned him a rating of 7.7
Lisandro Martinez received a rating of 6.5
Luke Shaw earned a rating of 7.7
Casemiro’s performance was rated at 7.1
Antony and Bruno Fernandes received ratings of 7.2 and 7.3 respectively
Mason Mount’s performance was rated at 6.7
Garnacho and Marcus Rashford both earned ratings of 6.9
Lineups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez (Lindelof 46), Shaw; Casemiro, Mount (Eriksen 68); Antony (Pellistri 77), Fernandes, Garnacho (Sancho 68); Rashford (McTominay 87).
Wolves (4-1-3-2): Sa; Semedo, Kilman, Dawson, Ait-Nouri (Bueno 77); Lemina; Neto, Gomes (Kalajdzic 88), Nunes; Sarabia (Hwang 63), Cunha (Silva 77).
In a nail-biting contest, Manchester United’s tenacity prevailed, setting the stage for an exciting Premier League season ahead.
