Manchester United have broken into the top four after the win over Wolves in the Premiership.
Alejandro Garnacho, who came on for the disciplined Marcus Rashford, took a free-kick in the first two minutes in a threatening area for Wolves but luckily it came to nothing.
Corner for United and Casemiro shoots free with a header that the defenders do not catch his shot but it goes wide over the crossbar. It was clear the Reds had been working on their set piece routine.
Wolves put in some good runs but the United defense looked tough and put in some good blocking to keep them from crossing into the danger zone.
Garnacho had a golden opportunity to put United ahead in the fifteenth minute, a short pass from Semedo to his keeper allowing Garnacho to come toe-to-toe with the keeper. He should have done better, but his shot was well stopped by Sa.
At the other end, Wolves were in a fantastic position inside the box, but Wan-Bissaka put in a brilliant block to deny the hosts the first goal.
They were trying to pass the ball to Costa, United needed to cut that channel.
It was football through and through in the first half, as Martial found himself in a good position when Fernandes slotted the ball into the box, but was unable to get around it and find the target.
Moments later, Podence fired in on the half volley, but this time it was Varane who blocked. It seemed that the first goal could go in any direction.
The game was getting more physical with Casemiro and Fernandes speaking sternly to the referee.
In the final touch of the first half, Antony should have scored and dived to the far post to attempt a cross from Garnacho with his head, but Sa put his hand in to prevent him from crossing the line.
Rashford was forgiven at half time when he came on for Garnacho and instantly showed why he made a fantastic run, dancing through the Wolves players, but unfortunately to no avail.
Wolves continued to do well though, putting in a couple of good crosses in the box, but they were deflected by the United defense.
At the other end, Antony had a great chance to break the tie, but it was blocked by the Wolves defence. Rashford had increased energy levels, there was no doubt about that and many of his early chances were generated by him.
Casemiro found himself in the book when he took down Podence. The resulting free-kick from around 25 yards was delivered powerfully by Neves and found its mark, but De Gea pulled off a superb save to deny Wolves.
Antonio found himself in space on the right but his cross was blocked again. He kept finding himself in the right places, but couldn’t deliver the correct ball to his teammates.
Shaw had the opportunity for a well-worked corner but Semedo did just enough to prevent him from hitting the target.
It was the rebel, Marcus Rashford, who made the Reds advance. He started the move and had a little one-two with Fernandes as he danced inside the box and was strong against two defenders as he slotted the ball through the gap just inside the near post.
United just had to hang on now, but Wolves were desperate to get something out of this game.
Rashford thought he had a second when he again broke through the defense and shot, it was saved by the goalkeeper and bounced off him into the back of the net, but VAR ruled it out as it was deemed to have. get out of the mancunian’s hand.
Wolves had the momentum after that and went on the attack, luckily the Reds defended hard.
At the other end, United found themselves three against two with Van de Beek leading the attack through the middle. Fernandes played it on the left whose shot went straight to the goalkeeper.
United got it back, Van de Beek made a tackle in the box, but Wolves cut off their next pass, giving them a chance to counterattack.
Deep into stoppage time and Wolves were building up the pressure with a series of corners. Jiménez had a brilliant chance to equalise, but De Gea’s reaction was lightning quick as he raised his hands to deflect the blow.
United had done it, slipping into fourth place thanks to Rashford’s second-half goal.
Team: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malaysia, Eriksen (Fred 61), Casemiro, Antony (Elanga 93), Fernandes (Maguire 93), Garnacho (Rashford 45), Martial (Van de Beek 81)
