Manchester United return from Molineux with a point after a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. That’s a decent result given last season’s form against the same opposition, and probably something I would have taken if offered before kick off, but given how the game unfolded, United will feel a little disappointed on the way home.
Starting XI
De Gea – Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw – McTominay, Pogba, James, Lingard, Rashford – Martial
Subs: Mata (Lingard ’81), Greenwood (James ’89), Pereira (Rashford ’89)
Ole Gunnar Solskjær handed a full debut to Welsh winger Daniel James, who replaced Andreas Pereira in the only change to the starting line up from last weekend’s victory over Chelsea. The youngster showed his pace early on, but was also booked for a dive mid-way through the half, which is something that he mustn’t let become a habit.
United were the stronger team in the first period and they took the lead in the 27th minute when Rashford played in Martial, who fired firmly past Rui Patrício in the Wolves goal.
The lead lasted until ten minutes into the second half when Moutinho found Neves on the edge of the box and he expertly curled the ball past De Gea to level the scores. United should have won it in the 67th minute when Paul Pogba was tripped in the Wolves box and took the resultant penalty himself, but Rui Patrício was equal to it.
Four points from two potentially tricky fixtures represents a decent start for Solskjær this term, but it’s still too early to draw any conclusions on where United will be come May. Given the strength of their rivals, getting into the top four is likely to be as tough as ever this season.