Wolverhampton Wanderers scored against Manchester United for the first time since the end of October, but still lost heavily in the end. United captain Bruno Fernandes collected three points.
Wolverhampton had lost their last eight competitive games, with their last league goal coming on October 26 against Burnley (2-3). At the end of matchday 15, Rob Edwards, who has been in charge since mid-November, faced ManUnited, who had recently been held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham. Ruben Amorim made a change, bringing on Mount for Zirkzee (bench).
The hosts’ uncertainty was evident early on and resulted in two dangerous shots from Diogo Dalot (8th minute) and Mbeumo (9th minute), which Johnstone was able to save. In the 25th minute, however, the Wolves keeper was finally beaten when Bruno Fernandes slid the ball into the net despite a sloppy pass from Matheus Cunha.
Bellegarde ends Wolverhampton’s goal drought
The Red Devils missed the chance to quickly extend their lead with a double opportunity from Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha (29th minute) and suddenly lost control of the game. The home side intensified their tackling, forced more ball wins and even developed a period of pressure. It was therefore not surprising that they finally managed to equalize before the break after a 550-minute goal drought: Bellegarde scored his first goal of the season in the second minute of stoppage time after an assist from Möller Wolfe.
ManUnited pull away after the break
As active as the Wolves had been going into the break, they came out of the dressing room just as passive. Initial attempts by Mbeumo (48′) and Matheus Cunha (50′) were followed by United regaining the lead through Mbeumo, who took advantage of the opponent’s high defensive line and ultimately only had to tap the ball in (51′).
The hosts did not abandon their proactive but extremely risky defensive style as the game progressed – and that was to come back to haunt them. In the 62nd minute, for example, Mount converted a silky cross from Bruno Fernandes to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
Late handball penalty for the visitors
Wolverhampton were now completely invisible in attack, and the home team struggled to prevent their already alarming goal difference from getting even worse. However, the bottom-of-the-table side conceded at least one more goal: after Mosquera handled the ball, Bruno Fernandes scored his second of the game from 11 meters out (82′).
While Wolves, who are away to league leaders Arsenal next Saturday (9 p.m.), remain on a meager two points, ManUnited are not in action again until next Monday. Then the Red Devils take on Bournemouth at Old Trafford (9 p.m.).