Teenager Kobbie Mainoo struck a 97th-minute winner to stun Wolves at Molineux Stadium, in a game United should have put out of sight before half time.
United had let a 2-goal lead slip twice in the match, and it looked like another frustrating away day with points dropped. But the brilliant Mainoo received a pass from sub Omari Forson, beat 2 or 3 Wolves players and curled a sublime finish past the despairing dive of the goalkeeper. The goal sent the excellent travelling support into raptures and the final whistle shortly followed.
United dominated the game for large parts and were probably value for a win.
First half dominance
Before the game, all the talk was about Marcus Rashford and his recent off-field troubles.
Rashford responded in the best way possible after just five minutes; with a sublime, curling, first-time finish from a Rasmus Hojlund pass.
Hojlund, who again worked tirelessly throughout, doubled the lead on 22 minutes, bravely getting across his ma to get on the end of a low Luke Shaw cross.
With the returning trio of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro all in the starting line-up, the Reds looked more composed, controlled and quicker on the attack than in recent weeks, and It could have been four or five in the first half had it not been for some poor decision-making from United’s wide players. Come half-time, Wolves will have been thankful to only be two goals down.
Second half fragility
In true United-of-recent-years style, there was a partial collapse in the second half.
In fairness, United were unlucky to concede a very soft penalty to make the score 1-2. Erik Ten Hag brought on Scott McTominay on 73 minutes, and the Scot almost instantly restored United’s two-goal lead from a corner.
This was when the late chaos started.
Casemiro and Rashford had been substituted and United had much less control in the first half, with the home side growing in confidence by the minute.
A Wolves corner was only half-defended by United, and Max Kilman flicked the ball over the line from the ensuing scramble with Onana flapping. Ten minutes later, on 95 minutes, Pedro Neto finished off an excellent Wolves counter-attack as United naively sent almost all of their outfield players up for a corner. Again – could Onana have done better? He was unmoving as the ball flew into his near post.
It was the 18-year-old from Stockport who saved United’s blushes with his solo effort 2 minutes later. But make no mistake – United made a meal out of this victory. It really should have been a done deal before half-time.
Player Ratings and MOTM
Onana – 5. Goals seemed saveable and he didn’t give us the surety needed at both 2-0 and 3-1.
Luke Shaw – 7.5. PLayed brilliantly going forward in the first, set up the second goal and seems to have a real understanding with Rashford. Quieter in the second half but still solid.
Martinez – 8. Vocal, brave, dominant and incisive with his forward passing. You have to think United would be higher up the league if not for his injury.
Varane – 6. Fairly solid but should have cut out Pedro Neto’s equaliser.
Dalot – 7.5. Really good and is making a case for being our clear-cut starting RB choice over Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Was a strong presence in both halves of the pitch and played his part in Rashford’s opener.
Casemiro – 7. A largely commanding performance and a big part of United’s assuredness in the first half. Did start to tire and was replaced by McTominay near the end. Also gave away a penalty, although it was very soft.
Mainoo – 8.5. Looked so composed and always seems to make the right decision. Benefitted from being alongside Casemiro which meant he could get forward more, and took his goal exceptionally well.
Fernandes – 7. Understated but effective; the security of Casemiro allowed him to link up well with the front 3 and his corner led to McTominay’s goal.
Rashford – 7. Took his goal very well and had a hand in the second. Looked dangerous down the left side where he combined well and often with Luke Shaw, especially in the first half.
Hojlund – 8.5 & MOTM. Grabbed an assist, a goal and a disallowed goal in the first half, but was a constant threat. The young Dane looks to be finding his feet in the League and we love how he celebrates his goals too,
Subs:
McTominay (on for Casemiro on 73′) – 7. Came on and made an instant impact, and brough energy and drive to the team.
Antony (on for Rashford on 73′) – 4. Didn’t do a great deal going forward and was gave the ball away from a United corner for Neto to equalise.
Omari Forson (on for Hojlund on 86′) – N/A.
Maguire (on for Martinez on 86′) – N/A.
Evans (on for Garnacho on 92′) – NA.
Job just about done – on to Sunday
United have a very tricky run of league fixtures coming up: West Ham at home, Villa away, Luton away, Fulham at home and City away.
How United deal with this run of games will have a massive impact on our chances of CL qualification this season. Fulham look beatable but it’s entirely possible that United could lose the other four fixtures if they play poorly, like they have for large parts of this season
The first half against Wolves was very good and United showed fighting spirit and quality to snatch all 3 points. Erik Ten Hag now has the ability to field his strongest 11, so let’s hope we can go from strength-to-strength in the coming weeks and get back amongst the top 4.
