Manchester United kept it late to clinch a 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester on Tuesday(December 29). Marcus Rashford was the sole scorer in the game netting it just before the final whistle of the game.
The home side lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with returning Eric Baily being paired with Harry Maguire at the centre of the defence. Nemanja Matic along with Paul Pogba formed a double pivot in the middle of the park. Edinson Cavani featured in the starting XI lead the forward line alongside Marcus Rashford and youngster Mason Greenwood.
The match started with the Wolves giving the defence a tough time right from the kick off. Adama Traore was creating havoc as his pace and physicality was too much to deal with for the United players.
Wolves were playing their typical free-flowing football with Pedro Neto getting close on a few times but failing to finish.
But United did not back down as well and pushing the visitors whenever they got the chance on the counters. Golden chance in first half came for Fernandes who failed to beat his Portuguese compatriot Rui Patricio from close after Greenwood found him with brilliant ball in box.
Despite that, it was Wolves who were making the most of their chances as they were brilliant on the counter specially with Traore, Neto and Victor Ferreira combining beautifully.
In the second half, United were finding hard to get control of the game as Matic and Pogba were having a hard time battling for the ball against the tenacity and composure of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves.
Traore was a constant threat throughout the match with Spaniard giving time of respite to the opposition.
United scored from the corner in 71st minute courtesy of Cavani’s shot from close range but the flag was waved for offside.
It looked it Wolves would make the day miserable for the Red Devils but as they say the its never over of them till the final whistle.
United’s resilience got them the reward when in the added minutes Bruno Fernandes pinged a gem over the top of the defence spotting Rashford’s run, before the English forward showed great composure and technique stopping the ball making shifts before his shot got deflected of Saïss to find the back of net.
The celebration after the goal summed up what it meant for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side who went to the second spot just behind leaders Liverpool with Fernandes moving the second spot as well in assists charts.
