Despite the home advantage, Manchester United faced a resolute Wolves side, freshly reinvigorated under new management. Wolves, who struggled on the road last season, demonstrated a newfound unity and resilience. With 23 attempts on goal and an impressive Expected Goals (xG) rating of 2.14, surpassing Manchester United’s 1.49, the visitors threatened early on. Yet, it was the “Red Devils” who capitalized on a moment of brilliance. In the 76th minute, center-back Raphael Varane combined seamlessly with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, creating a standout goal that secured three crucial points for the home team.
Throughout the match, both before and after Varane’s breakthrough, Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana showcased his acrobatics to preserve a clean sheet. Early in the second half, Wolves’ Matheus Cunha struck the woodwork, narrowly missing a dramatic equalizer. In the final minutes, Onana’s unorthodox punch on Sasa Kalajdzic’s head raised eyebrows, but VAR confirmed no foul within the penalty area.
The contest remained on a knife-edge, with a contentious penalty decision providing a sigh of relief for the Manchester United faithful. The home team’s defense was kept on their toes, as Onana, making his Premier League debut, pulled off six crucial saves in the second half alone. The first half saw Onana equally busy as he valiantly denied a barrage of attempts from a relentless Wolves side, exposing Manchester United’s struggle to dictate play.
In the absence of new striker Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford shifted centrally, flanked by struggling wingers Garnacho and Antony. Newcomer Mason Mount found himself subdued in midfield alongside Casemiro. On the flip side, several standout performers emerged from the Wolves camp, courtesy of the departed Julen Lopetegui’s influence just days before the league kick-off. Despite the absence of key players, Wolves displayed a spirited fight under new coach Gary O’Neil. Matheus Cunha’s ball control and daring runs stood out, despite his unfortunate lack of finishing finesse. The Brazilian forward showcased moments of brilliance, missing an early chance against Onana, hitting the crossbar in the second half, and being denied by Manchester United’s resilient shot-stopper in the closing stages.
Manchester United’s offensive drive gained impetus with the introduction of Jadon Sancho and Christian Eriksen, who injected fresh energy by replacing Garnacho and Mount. Wan-Bissaka, a standout performer for the home side, set up Varane’s crucial goal with a precise cross from Bruno Fernandes’ delivery, igniting an eruption of joy across Old Trafford.
The omission of former captain Harry Maguire, amid a pending transfer to West Ham, raised eyebrows, particularly as Lisandro Martinez departed due to injury at halftime. Maguire’s absence paved the way for Victor Lindelof’s entrance. However, Lindelof’s introduction didn’t offer much solidity, as Manchester United’s defense endured a turbulent second half.
As the dust settled, Manchester United stood among the elite seven teams who secured a triumphant start in the league. Their journey becomes more challenging in the next round, as they lock horns with Tottenham in a high-stakes away fixture. Meanwhile, Wolves will seek redemption on their home turf when they face Brighton in the upcoming round.
Player Ratings:
Andre Onana (GK): A spectacular display of 6 crucial saves earned him a deserved 8.0 rating.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: The architect of the decisive goal, his contribution earned him a stellar 8.1 rating.
Raphael Varane: The match-winner himself, he garnered a rating of 7.7 for his heroics.
Lisandro Martinez: A rating of 6.5 encapsulated his solid performance.
Luke Shaw: His impactful presence led to a commendable 7.7 rating.
Casemiro, Antony, Bruno Fernandes: With ratings of 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 respectively, they showcased determination.
Mason Mount: His efforts merited a rating of 6.7.
Garnacho and Marcus Rashford: With ratings of 6.9 each, they contributed tirelessly.
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).
The opening goal was scored by Raphael Varane.
