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Despite the change of coaches, Manchester United’s frustration has not changed. Manchester United ended the game with a defeat at Old Trafford today. Wolves beat Manchester United 1-0 today. It is 40 years since the Wolves defeated Manchester United in a league match at Old Trafford.
A stiff and sulky performance by Manchester United was ultimately punished late as Joao Moutinho’s goal pushed a plucky Wolves to a famous win at Old Trafford and piled pressure on interim coach Ralf Rangnick.
Despite an unbeaten start to his Premier League tenure with the Red Devils, Rangnick had received criticism for his team’s confusing tactics and spotty performances. That was on full display as Rangnick left playmaker Bruno Fernandes on the bench and United was stagnant throughout.
Wolves finished the first half with 15 total shots, the most for any visiting team at Old Trafford ever in a first half, despite Wolves’ well-known inability to score. While it remained 0-0 at halftime, changes were required, and eventually Rangnick changed formation and brought on Fernandes with a half-hour to go, changing the feel of the game and injecting some life into the home side.
Eventually, however, United would break as Moutinho collected a Phil Jones clearance and deposited it into the back of the net to confirm Wolves’ first league win at Old Trafford since 1980. Rangnick will have plenty to answer for, seeming to prefer his own tactics to those that fit the players at his disposal.
“We didn’t play well at all, neither individually nor collectively,” Rangnick said postgame. “Today we have to admit they were better than us.”
“We didn’t press at all. We tried after 10-15 minutes, but we were not able to get into those pressing situations,” Rangnick said when asked about his trademark pressing game, also citing the difficulty created by Wolves’ five midfielders, which included two wingbacks.
“The game showed that we still have a lot of work to do and we still have to take quite a few steps both collectively and individually, especially against the ball. But also in the first half, when we were in possession of the ball, we had again too many unforced errors, too many giveaways and in those parts of the game we just need to get better.”
Man United vs. Wolves final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Man United | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wolves | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Goals:
WOL — Joao Moutinho — 82nd min.
Final: Manchester United 0, Wolves 1
Bruno Fernandes injected some life into the match, hitting the bar minutes after coming on and forcing a late save, but it’s all for naught. United is punished for a miserable first half and negative tactics overall. It’s a typical Wolves performance, good value for their defending and just enough up front. Rangnick will need to think about finding a way in for Fernandes and Sancho, without forcing a square peg into a round hole. A time of reckoning is coming for United.
The Wolves midfield ran the show today at Old Trafford, obviously with Moutinho’s goal but also the partnership between he and Neves. The Portuguese duo bossed it at Old Trafford, especially in the first half.
With one last chance, United have a free kick just outside the area thanks to a high boot by Silva to the face of Phil Jones. Fernandes has taken the ball off Ronaldo, and his venemous free kick is saved expertly by ‘keeper Jose Sa. The final whistle blows straight after.
Ralf Rangnick has suffered his first defeat as coach of Manchester United as Joao Moutinho drove home an 83rd minute winner for Wolves. It was no more than the away side deserved as United were poor throughout, with Fernandes hitting the crossbar and then forcing Malheiro de Sa into a late save.
David de Gea
Saved well from Ruben Neves and handled other efforts with care. Had no chance with Joao Moutinho’s precise strike. 6
about:blank Aaron Wan-Bissaka
A minor improvement in the first-half and a couple of crosses just evaded Cristiano Ronaldo. Got worse after the pause and no justification for starting him. 5
Phil Jones
Started his first game in 708 days and ended the first-half as United’s best player. Grew as the game developed and unfortunate his header went to Moutinho. 7
Raphael Varane
More solid on just his second start in three months against Raul Jimenez than he was at Newcastle last week. 6
Luke Shaw
Did not supplement attacks as frequently amid Wolves’ emphasis on wide players. Adama Traore rinsed him for the winner. 5
Scott McTominay
Crashing regression. So sloppy with the ball and cowed by Neves and Moutinho. Booked early in the second-half and barely improved. 4
Nemanja Matic
Little impact in the first-half other than when he dropped deep and McTominay headed in the opposite direction. Crossed for Bruno Fernandes to hit the bar. 5
Mason Greenwood
United’s brightest attacker but saddled with too much responsibility in the front four for a 20-year-old. Harshly hooked first again. 6
Jadon Sancho
Another ropey performance and Sancho was regularly sluggish with and without the ball. Seems to have got slower and should have come off sooner. 3
Edinson Cavani
Erred by failing to play in Greenwood towards the end of the first-half and dropping off does not suit him. Somehow saw out the game. 4
Cristiano Ronaldo
Had a first-half to forget and almost played Raul Jimenez in with an errant header towards his own goal. Scored but disallowed for offside. 4
Subs
Bruno Fernandes
Should have buried his chance. 5
Marcus Rashford
No impact. 4
Anthony Elanga
No time to impress. N/A
Manager
Front six failed to click against a more intense team and no half-time change was a mistake. Hooking Greenwood was baffling but while Fernandes lifted United they still had no control. Other subs questionable. 4
