Manchester United suffered their first defeat under Ralf Rangnick against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Against the Wolves, the Red Devils were offensively too unimaginative the entire game, were also unlucky once and were punished by Joao Moutinho shortly before the end.
Manchester United’s recent performance against Burnley was much improved, but Ralf Rangnick had to make changes to his central defence compared to the 3-1 win. Captain Maguire and Bailly were not involved, but Varane and Jones started. For the 29-year-old Englishman, it was his first ever Premier League appearance since January 22, 2020.
For United it was the third game in seven days, the Wolves, on the other hand, had two weeks off due to corona. The freshness of the visitors was evident from the start and the home side were pressed into their own half in the early stages. After twelve minutes, de Gea had to intervene for the first time, but the Spaniard was on hand to save Daniel Podence and Ruben Neves’ long-range shot.
De Gea again and again
The Red Devils then tried to control the game, and their attacking play didn’t look bad until they reached the penalty area. In the final third, however, all players around captain Cristiano Ronaldo lacked accuracy, effervescence and the necessary idea. On the other side, de Gea was challenged every now and then, but Nelson Semedo (19th) and again the lively Daniel Podence (25th) failed to find the United goalkeeper.
The home side ended the first half without a goal worth mentioning, but shortly before the break Jones had to save from Raul Jimenez again (45). Nothing changed in the second half, the Wolves were still superior, but without playing decisively for the 1:0.
Bruno Fernandes fails to hit the crossbar
United only woke up when Bruno Fernandes came on, and on 67 minutes the Portuguese had the best chance of the game: After a flat and very precise cross from Matic, the joker had a free shot from the best position, but only hit the top half of the crossbar from nine metres. Eight minutes later, Saiss also hit the crossbar from a 17-metre free-kick on the other side.
Joao Moutinho rewards Wolves
Rangnick brought on another attacking force in Rashford, but this change completely fizzled out. Wolves had little trouble defending the Red Devils’ tenuous attacking efforts – and were rewarded for their brave display on 82 minutes: after a weak header from Jones, the unmarked Joao Moutinho finished with the second touch from 17 yards, his low shot finding its way into the left corner.
José Sa holds on for the win
ManUnited again failed to produce anything big in the final minutes, Wolverhampton running the ball smartly and taking plenty of time off the clock as a result. In the last action of the game, Bruno Fernandes had a great chance to equalise with a free-kick from the edge of the box, but José Sa was on hand to keep Wolves 1-0 up.
This was Manchester United’s first loss under Rangnick and they missed out on an international place. The Red Devils return to FA Cup action in a week’s time when they host Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 10 January. Wolves, who moved to within three points of Man United with the away win, host Sheffield United in the FA Cup on Sunday.
