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Manchester United travelled to the Molineux to tackle Wolverhampton Wanderers, recent off their 4-2 FA Cup win in opposition to Newport County.
Erik ten Hag fielded a beginning XI which earlier than the sport, he admitted was his strongest lineup.
The Dutchman named Andre Onana in objective with a defensive 4 of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw forward of the Cameroonian.
Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes shaped United’s midfield trio.
Rasmus Hojlund led the road with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho flanking him on both wing. Listed here are three issues we discovered from Manchester United’s 4-3 win in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Sensational Rashford efficiency
All eyes have been on Rashford following affirmation that he would begin in opposition to Wolves.
He has been embroiled in controversy after it emerged he missed a coaching session at Carrington as a consequence of a nightclub go to in Belfast.
It’s thought that Rashford phoned the membership and lied he was sick, just for photos to emerge of him out partying hours earlier than coaching.
The winger has been the topic of intense criticism from the media and supporters for his actions, particularly throughout a season wherein he has been struggling for type.
Ten Hag insisted that the matter was handled internally and it was unsurprising that he gave the nod to the Carrington academy graduate.
Rashford definitely repaid his supervisor’s religion and public present of help. Simply 5 minutes into proceedings, the 26-year-old opened the rating with an excellent objective.
A cross was put contained in the field, which Fernandes cleverly evaded to make sure it fell on Hojlund’s path. The Dane set it up for Rashford with the tenderest of touches. Rashford then produced a surprising end as he guided the ball into the again of the online.
Rashford was additionally concerned in United’s second of the match. He got here up with an excellent piece of play within the hazard space, which noticed him go the ball to an overlapping Shaw. The left-back discovered Hojlund on the close to submit, who one way or the other managed to beat his defender and the goalkeeper to offer United a two-goal benefit.
Past his contributions for each targets, Rashford was additionally sensational generally play. He seemed harmful and a relentless menace for the Wolves defenders. Each full-backs, Matt Doherty and Nelson Semedo, discovered it onerous to include him.
Rashford stored taking his man on when the chance introduced itself and even his decision-making was higher and extra measured.
He was additionally significantly better defensively. He tracked again when wanted to and even appeared keen to interact in duels.
One other very noticeable factor was simply how a lot he was speaking along with his teammates and particularly Hojlund. Lots of occasions this time period, Rashford has reduce a really annoyed and lonely determine however in opposition to Wolves, he appeared to be having fun with his soccer.
Rashford deserved a number of the stick he received however what a strategy to reply! Hopefully, he kicks on now for the second half of the marketing campaign.
Hojlund steadily rising into his personal at United
Hojlund had a reasonably sluggish begin to life within the Premier League, however I feel it’s secure to say he’s now getting used to the calls for of English soccer.
Regardless of being prolific within the Champions League earlier than United’s elimination, the younger striker wanted 14 video games to interrupt his duck within the high flight.
Nevertheless, since he opened his account through the comeback win vs. Aston Villa at Outdated Trafford, he hasn’t seemed again.
On account of his objective on the Molineux, Hojlund now holds the document for the youngest United participant ever to attain and help in two consecutive Premier League matches, at 20 years and 362 days.
20 – Rasmus Højlund has now each scored and assisted in every of his final two Premier League appearances – on the age of 20 years and 362 days, he’s the youngest Manchester United participant to realize this, with Cristiano Ronaldo the earlier youngest, aged 21 in 2007. Spectacular. pic.twitter.com/cyAeK86p1W
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 1, 2024
The Denmark worldwide is in red-hot type. He has registered six objective involvements in his final 5 video games.
He may have scored extra in opposition to Gary O’Neil’s males. He noticed a objective through the opening 45 minutes dominated off a really shut offside name.
Simply minutes after the break, he may have had a brace when he was put via on objective with Jose Sa at his mercy, however Hojlund couldn’t beat the shot-stopper.
Within the 62nd minute of the match, Hojlund additionally discovered Sa in no man’s land exterior his field. He dispossessed the goalkeeper, however he sadly slipped and couldn’t make a lot of it. It wasn’t the one time Hojlund closed down Sa. Within the first half, he additionally pressed the Portuguese and blocked his objective kick, which practically resulted in a objective for United. The 2 events Hojlund caught out Sa spotlight simply how aggressive he was in making an attempt to win the ball excessive up the pitch.
The previous Atalanta man was good in the way in which he held up the ball, and it’s no shock him, Rashford and Garnacho labored to nice impact as a collective attacking unit.
Within the absence of any pure deputies or backups, Hojlund is displaying he may be relied upon to provide you with the products for his aspect.
Dramatic finish to the match
United appeared like they have been cruising and on observe for a victory whereas two targets up.
Nevertheless, Wolves got here again into the sport courtesy of a doubtful penalty determination. Pedro Neto went down contained in the field from a slight Casemiro contact. Pablo Sarabia made no mistake from the spot-kick as he halved the deficit.
Scott McTominay, who was launched as an alternative, restored the Crimson Devils’ two-goal lead as he made it 3-1 with a headed end from a nook kick.
Craig Dawson ensured Wolves have been nonetheless in it when he put the ball into the again of the online. He was assisted by some poor goalkeeping from Andre Onana.
United’s worst nightmare occurred when Neto equalized for Wolves after the opposition pinched the ball from Antony.
It appeared that United had collapsed however Mainoo stepped up. He nutmegged a rival participant, received right into a effective place, set himself up nicely and expertly curved the ball previous the attain of Sa to seal the victory and guarantee all three factors have been claimed by the group – a effective objective from the 18-year-old, who spared Ten Hag’s blushes.
