Wolves 1-4 Man UTD: Two goals and an assist from Bruno Fernandes gave coach Ruben Amorim’s side a comfortable win against Wolves, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
Bruno Fernandes was in fine form as Manchester United got back to winning ways with a 4-1 win over hapless Wolves. The Red Devils took a deserved lead with a Fernandes goal in the 25th minute after some disorganized defending from Rob Edwards’ rock-bottom side.
However, United failed to convert a string of chances before the break and fell behind with Jean-Richner Bellegarde scoring his first goal for Wolves since October. Coach Ruben Amorim appeared to launch an onslaught on his players at half-time, with the visitors leading by two points by the hour mark.
Mason Mount scored the third goal after Brian Mbeumo finished off a counter-attack as United exposed Wolves’ high line. Fernandes then became the scorer of the fourth goal from the provider.
The Red Devils were awarded a penalty by VAR, which Fernandes buried to stop the game and move United into sixth place. Wolves are in an increasingly precarious position at the bottom of the Premier League table, failing to win their opening 15 games for the first time in their history.
Here are Molyneux’s five points.
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1. Wolves fans hold protests
There have been changes in the dugout, but Wolves supporters aren’t satisfied with just that. Their struggles on the pitch are indicative of what is going on in the upper echelons of the club, with chairman Geoff See the focus of their anger.
A significant portion of the home fans did not take their seats until the 15th minute, and upon their arrival chants of “Jeff Seay is terrible” echoed throughout the ground. Chinese investment group Fosun International does not want to sell at this time, but pressure is mounting.
2. Fernandez’s comical opening battle
Some players argue that the Premier League is stronger than ever in terms of the quality of players up and down the divisions. But with the scoreboard and kit changes, it would be logical to assume that United’s opening game was a Sunday League game.
Wolves gave the ball away in their own half and Casemiro nipped in to allow Matheus Cunha a one-on-one with Emmanuel Agbadu. Fernandes came to the rescue but the United captain stumbled as Cunha’s pass fell behind him.
The United captain quickly recovered to fire a shot past Agbadu and past Sam Johnstone. “What the hell was that?” Wolves fans shouted in unison.
3. Wolves end goal drought
In the end, the home crowd had something to celebrate. United created a number of chances to double their lead, but Edwards’ side knew they still had some time in the game.
The problem was they needed to score, something they hadn’t been able to do in previous FIVE games and something they never could do under Coach Edwards. So when Amado left David Moller-Wolf free at the far post to pick up the scraps of a cross, Jean-Richner Bellegarde smelled blood.
Wolves equalized in injury time with a slightly acrobatic finish as Bellegarde scored from a cutback from Moeller Wolf. All square on the break.
4. United’s one-two punch
It would be surprising if Amorim did not entertain his players at half-time. It was a beggar’s belief how Wolves got back into the game, but fortunately for the Red Devils manager they were more clinical in the second period.
Taking advantage of Wolves’ high line on the counter-attack, Cunha slipped past Diogo Dalot and allowed Brian Mbeumo to tap in after Sam Johnstone was left unsteady. Just 11 minutes later, Mount scored his third goal.
The England World Cup hopeful started the second of United’s last three games and was selected by Fernandes after making deft runs past the Wolves defense. Mount produced an excellent finish, but Bellegarde was forced off with an injury between the two goals, giving the home side a headwind.
Is survival impossible for Wolves? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
5. Mosquera adds insult to injury
The Wolves did not threaten to come back, but they defended tenaciously to keep the difference to just two points. That was until Jelson Mosquera stuck his arm out after Amad’s close range shot.
VAR recommended referee Michael Salisbury review the incident pitchside, and it did not require as many looks to award the penalty. Even though Johnston’s guess was correct, Fernandez stepped up and hid it with confidence.
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