Wolves 2 Manchester United 0 - Report

The hosts started the festive fixture well and had a number of chances in a goalless first half, in which United never got going.

Wolves were then handed a major boost less than two minutes into the second half as Bruno Fernandes was given a second yellow card for a late foul and was given his marching orders.

Pereira's side scored immediately after getting that advantage but it was flagged offside, as they ramped up the pressure on their struggling opponents.

That pressure then told, albeit in unusual circumstances, as Matheus Cunha scored straight from a corner with a dangerous in-swinging set piece that left Andre Onana stranded.

The United goalkeeper furiously appealed for a foul but the officials were unmoved as Wolves took the lead, courtesy of Cunha's 10th goal of the season.

The visitors made a triple change as they looked to get back into the game, but Wolves' renewed composure and organisation under Pereira meant they were rarely troubled, despite United's late pressure during eight minutes of added time.

Hwang Hee-chan then tapped home a final minute goal, his first of the season, to secure the points and send the home fans wild as Wolves eased over the line to a crucial win following the 3-0 victory at Leicester before Christmas.

Pereira celebrated with his players on the pitch in front of a jubilant Molineux crowd, having achieved two wins in two since taking over from Gary O'Neil as head coach.

Wolves will now travel to Spurs on Sunday, who find themselves in disarray after losing to Nottingham Forest.

Pereira's side then face Forest at Molineux in their first game of 2025, having won on their last home outing of 2024.

Analysis

Pereira made one change to the team that beat Leicester last time out, as he stuck with the 5-2-3 formation.

Rayan Ait-Nouri returned from suspension and earned an immediate recall, as Rodrigo Gomes dropped to the bench.

Mario Lemina and Pablo Sarabia both missed out with calf issues.

Ruben Amorim made two changes to his Manchester United side following their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, who also started in a 5-2-3 formation.

Leny Yoro came in for Tyrell Malacia, who dropped out of the squad altogether, while Rasmus Hojlund replaced Joshua Zirkzee.

Marcus Rashford was left out of the squad for the fourth consecutive game.

As the game got under way at a foggy and wintery Molineux, the home fans began chanting against chairman Jeff Shi within the opening minute of the fixture.

On the pitch, Wolves made a bright start to the game with the crowd up for the occasion, and a good run from Cunha saw Yoro take him down and receive an early booking.

Neither side had created a clear chance in the opening 15 minutes, but Wolves broke forward at speed through Goncalo Guedes before Matt Doherty crossed low and almost found Jorgen Strand Larsen at the near post.

Diogo Dalot then whipped a shot at Jose Sa from distance, but the goalkeeper did well to turn it around the post.

At the other end, Guedes raced forward from deep and shot from distance, which was not too wide.

Wolves came closest when Nelson Semedo crossed for Larsen and his header towards the top corner was tipped over the bar by Onana.

Ait-Nouri then whipped in a low cross from the left that just needed a touch to make it 1-0, but no forward players could get to it.

Wolves had been the better side and created the better chances but could not find the breakthrough before half-time, as they entered the break drawing 0-0.

Within less than two minutes of the game restarting, Manchester United were reduced to 10 men when Fernandes’ late challenge on Semedo warranted a second yellow card.

Wolves then instantly had the ball in the back of the net when Larsen headed home Semedo’s cross, but it was rightly given for offside and a long VAR check did not overturn it.

But Wolves then did take the lead in remarkable fashion when Cunha’s in-swinging corner flew all the way into the far corner, to send the home fans wild.

Onana was furious, demanding a foul, but the officials were unmoved as Wolves broke the deadlock.

Wolves were playing some excellent football and worked the ball down the left superbly to release Larsen in the box, but his cross for Guedes was too close to Onana with the goal at his mercy.

United began to see more of the ball in Wolves' final third but their composure was impressive, as they defended well to hold onto their slim lead.

On two occasions, substitute Hwang was almost played through on goal, but late defensive tackles and interceptions from Dalot prevented the South Korean international from taking aim at Onana.

The visitors had a late shout for a penalty ignored when Zirkzee hit the floor, as Wolves brought on Craig Dawson in an attempt to see out the game.

But Wolves almost had a second when substitute R.Gomes raced down the left and looked for Larsen, but saw his cross cleared.

A minimum of eight minutes of added time were announced, to groans from home supporters, with Wolves eager to preserve their lead.

But instead they added to it. United left one defender free against both Cunha and Hwang and as Tommy Doyle won the ball, he released Cunha.

He had just Onana to beat and instead found Hwang, who tapped home his first goal of the season to secure all three points.

Key Moments

RED CARD 47 United are reduced to 10 men as Fernandes is sent off

GOAL 58 Cunha puts Wolves ahead directly from a corner

GOAL 99 Hwang seals the win with a late strike

Teams

Wolves: Sa, Semedo (Dawson, 92), Doherty, Bueno, Toti, Ait-Nouri (R.Gomes, 86), Andre, J.Gomes (Doyle, 74), Guedes (Hwang, 74), Cunha, Larsen (Bellegarde, 92).

Subs not used: Johnstone, Meupiyou, Lima, Forbs.

Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, Yoro (Antony, 63), Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte (Eriksen, 63), Mainoo (Casemiro, 63), Diallo (Garnacho, 79), Fernandes, Hojlund (Zirkzee, 79).

Subs not used: Bayindir, Evans, de Ligt, Collyer.