Match Report: Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers | OneFootball

Manchester United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

It was a relatively poor performance from United, who showed very little attacking intent for the majority of the match. Given Wolves dismal season to date, this result will be viewed as two points missed, given how heavily United were favoured on paper.

First half

United dominated possession early on, with Matheus Cunha being fouled by his former team to earn a threatening free kick on the left of the box. Cunha thumped in a threatening cross, which was headed out for a corner.

Luke Shaw whipped in a lethal cross, which Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa saved off the goalline.

In the 14th minute, Benjamin Sesko did well to get on the end of a long ball that he managed to keep from going out for a goal kick. He did superbly to not just dribble past his marker but get a shot past the keeper, which veered just wide of the far post. It was an encouraging show of potential for the United striker.

Wolves soon appeared to find their rhythm, pushing up and attempting some counter-attacks, albeit to no avail. United’s defence remained rigid, with Lisandro Martinez appearing particularly alert. Still, United’s attack had fallen flat up until that point.

All that changed in the 27th minute, when United’s first shot on target resulted in a goal. Joshua Zirkzee received a ball from Ayden Heaven, who did brilliantly to intercept in Wolves’ half. Zirkzee then quickly swivelled around a Wolves defender before burying the ball in the back of the net as the keeper dived the wrong way.

Suddenly, it seemed as if the bland match had sprung to life.

A little over the half-hour mark, Sesko looked to get his name on the scoresheet as he got on the end of a Patrick Dorgu cross, heading the ball into the keeper’s gloves.

Dorgu came close to scoring when he burst down the left flank and fired his shot across the face of the goal. The keeper barely got his fingertips to the ball, sending it out for a corner.

Shaw’s corner found Sesko, who headed the ball into the post before the Wolves’ defence cleared the ball out for another corner.

Then, just a minute before half-time, Wolves ruined the party. An unmarked Ladislav Krejci headed the ball into the back of the net from a corner.

It was a disappointing end to the half for United, who should have gone into the break with the lead. Manager Ruben Amorim would need to get his team into gear ahead of the second half.

Second half

Despite scoring United’s goal, Zirkzee was taken off during the break, replaced by Jack Fletcher.

Dalot got on the end of a Manuel Ugarte cross, heading the ball to Cunha, who, unfortunately, belted the ball over the crossbar.

Seven minutes into the second half, Sesko came close to scoring again when the keeper saved another header of his. Still, United came away with a corner.

Dalot got on the end of Shaw’s cross, sending his header wide.

Just then, a long ball from Lisandro Martinez made it all the way to the Wolves’ box, catching the away team entirely off guard. When a Wolves defender accidentally headed the ball backwards, Jose Sa sprinted back to get a glove to the ball and clear it as it reached the goal line.

Past the hour mark, United almost conceded when Krejci hit the ball on a half volley. Lammens did well to get a glove to the ball, and while Yerson Mosquera looked to pounce on the rebound, the United keeper cleared the ball just in time.

With 16 minutes to play, Amorim made a double switch. Heaven came off for Leny Yoro, while Bendito Mantato came on for his senior debut, replacing Ugarte.

United continued pushing for a winner, with Cunha taking a shot from a tight angle on the left, which Sa saved. Having produced a largely low-energy performance, the hosts suddenly found themselves desperately seeking a late winner.

With one minute to play, Old Trafford erupted as it seemed that Dorgu scored from close-range after picking up a rebound from Sesko’s shot. The referee blew the whistle for offside, with VAR deciding to intervene in order to make certain.

Ultimately, VAR upheld the referee’s decision. Still, five minutes of stoppage time were added, handing United some time to find a dramatic winner.

Shaw whipped the ball into the box, with the Wolves defence heading it out for a corner. Cunha stepped up to take the corner, with the ball going out for another corner on the opposite side. Shaw’s set piece found Fletcher who thumped the ball well over the top.

A disappointing match came to a brutal end, with a chorus of boos echoing around the stadium as United were held to a draw with a team who earned only their third point all season. Amorim’s team would surely need to do plenty of introspection following this disappointing display.

Starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha, Sesko Subs: J. Fletcher, Yoro, Mantato

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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