Manchester United headed into the Wolves game on the back of a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
That result meant United were 5th in the Premier League heading into the weekend’s action.
However, Liverpool, who played on Friday evening and won, are now just one point adrift of the Red Devils, meaning they needed a win to put some distance between themselves and their old rivals.
And when all was said and done vs Wolves, United came away with the three points.
Wolves started bright but nearly gave away a goal 16 minutes in. Semedo attempted to play the ball back to Sa but his pass was weak and Garnacho intercepted the pass.
However, the young winger put his shot straight at an onrushing Sa when he really should have scored.
United came close to scoring just before the break when another good ball was floated to Martial, but the striker missed his header.
Both sides then made changes at the break with Rashford replacing Garnacho and Traore replacing Costa.
Wolves’ first big chance of the game came 58 minutes in. Ruben Neves struck a free-kick from distance well, forcing a good save out of De Gea.
Manchester United broke the deadlock 76 minutes in. Rashford picked up the ball out wide, played a one-two with Fernandes, out strengthed Jonny and smashed past Sa.
Rashford then thought he had added his second of the day to kill the tie off after 83 minutes. But the goal was ruled out for handball even though if his hand was not there it still would have hit Rashford’s body.
Jimenez came close to equalising in injury time but De Gea made a good reflex save to help win United the tie.
📰 Table Of Contents
Manchester United player ratings
- GK: De Gea (7)
- RB: Wan-Bissaka (6)
- CB: Varane (7)
- CB: Shaw (7)
- LB: Malacia (6.5)
- CDM: Casemiro (6)
- CDM: Eriksen (6)
- CAM: Fernandes (7)
- RW: Antony (6)
- ST: Martial (4.5)
- LW: Garnacho (5)
Substitutes
- Rashford (7)
- Fred (5)
- Donny van de Beek (N/A)
- Elanga (N/A)
- Maguire (N/A)
Wolves player ratings
- GK: Sa (6.5)
- RB: Semedo (6)
- CB: Kilman (6)
- CB: Collins (6.5)
- LB: Bueno (6)
- CM: Nunes (5.5)
- CM: Neves (6)
- CM: Moutinho (6)
- RW: Hwang (5)
- ST: Costa (4.5)
- LW: Podence (5)
Substitutes
- Traore (6)
- Jonny (3)
- Ait Nouri (5)
- Toti Gomes (5)
- Raul Jimenez (N/A)
Match reaction
Martial feeding garnacho on the counter there and then just casually jogging is really bad stuff. You’re a striker man, get in the box
— Kees van Hemmen (@HemmenKees) December 31, 2022
Antony finding a lot of space going forward for United and looks to be growing in confidence. Excellent switch of play to Garnacho then and made a central run to get on the end of the cross #mufc
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) December 31, 2022
Antony, Garnacho, Martial, we’ve done enough to be in front here
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) December 31, 2022
Martial can’t lead this united attack line it’s not just possible
— Midas! (@Midas_Fidel) December 31, 2022
Martial is not reliable
— Nii Adjetey Cleland 🇬🇭🇹🇿🇰🇪™ (@adjetey_cleland) December 31, 2022
Jose Sa vs De Gea
— Susetyo (@agrinugrohooo) December 31, 2022
Rashford is Man Utd best player, no doubt
— nasih (@w0rldguy) December 31, 2022
