The Stretford End had seen enough. With just 20 minutes left in Manchester United’s final game of 2025, chants of “Attack, attack, attack” rang out from the stands. Fans were hoping for more urgency from their team against what could be the worst team in Premier League history. they couldn’t understand it. Ruben Amorim’s answer was to look to his substitutes. Lenny Yolo was introduced in place of Aiden Heaven. The fact that teenager Bendito Mantat was also introduced at the same time did not prevent the local faithful from expressing their displeasure at yet another tactical switch they have come to expect from Amorim.
With attacking youngsters Shea Lacey and Chido Obi still sitting firmly on the bench, swapping one center half for another in pursuit of goals is a deliberate substitution that is sure to undermine the confidence many supporters have in Amorim. After switching to a back four on Boxing Day, many were baffled by the choice to go back to a three-man defense against an opponent who had scored just two goals in 18 games.
Player Rating: Manchester United draw with Wolves, 5/10 with 3 points
This allowed the Wolves to find a rhythm in the game. United made a lively start to Boxing Day, but the opening stages of this game looked like they were weighed down by the festivities. It was often a result of the defensive setup and Amorim didn’t seem to absorb that lesson.
Just two weeks ago, Paul Scholes suggested that Amorim did not fully understand Manchester United. After watching tonight’s performance, some may think he has a point. Although there has been some improvement this season, the football has been sluggish and often lackluster. Amorim may be at fault for his injuries, but critics will emphasize the strength of the opposition.
Even their solitary goal was met with considerable luck. Exactly one year ago, Joshua Zirkzee was substituted after just 33 minutes in Old Trafford’s match against Newcastle, and the sarcastic applause that accompanied his sending off could have had a negative impact on player morale.
Since then, the Dutchman has shown resilience, but not qualities that would suggest a long-term future at the club. This time he managed to stay on the pitch for 45 minutes and even scored a goal, but it was a night that proved why Amorim’s patience was wearing thin.
His goal came from a missed shot that bounced off Ladislav Krejci, but more than that, it was another lackluster display that suggested he may be out of the picture in a team that strives for physicality and speed. Amorim criticized Zirksee’s performance from the beginning. His pleas for Zirksee’s dueling approach to improve before kickoff fell on deaf ears.
The 24-year-old favored fancy footwork and tried to link up with Benjamin Sesco and Matheus Cunha, but avoided the tougher aspects of the game.
This goal was mainly due to a decisive challenge from Aiden Haven, who stole the ball from Hwang Hee-chan and charged towards the box. It was one of the few bright spots in United’s dismal first half.
Sesco created a chance out of thin air, hitting the post with a header from a corner kick, but Wolves had the upper hand. Senne Ramens made a crucial save from Hugo Bueno, but Krejci’s corner header was mistakenly deflected by Zirkzee and went past him.
The game was a repeat of the game at Molineux three weeks ago, where Wolves tied the game just before half-time. But this time the equalizer at Old Trafford was well deserved. The second-half onslaught that United unleashed in the Midlands was conspicuously absent.
Despite losing every game, some would argue that the Wolves have improved since those losses. Jelson Mosquera almost gave United a goal when he headed past his own goalkeeper, but Jose Sa saved the day with a last-minute shot.
United required heroics from their own shot-stopper moments later, with Lamence making a stunning save to deny Krejci and scramble to his feet to clear the danger. Diogo Dalot put his body on the line to block John Arias’ shot and it deflected into the corner.
Despite a good effort, United’s attacking play lacked sharpness. Many times they failed to promise enough going forward.
For a moment, it looked as if Patrick Dorg had won the game after Sa had parried a shot from Sesco, but the goal was ruled out for offside. That perfectly summed up a disappointing night.
They were met with boos at the final whistle, with points taken against Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves in four of their last five games at Old Trafford coming back to haunt them. The visiting supporters cheered with chants of “We’ve earned a point”, but this may be United’s biggest embarrassment yet.
