Wolves 2 Man United 1 – Report and pictures

United took an early lead through Scott McTominay and also wasted two glorious chances, but Wolves responded through Diogo Jota's well-taken equaliser.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the second half when Ashley Young picked up two quick bookings.

Wolves took full advantage when a Raul Jimenez header was touched over the line by Chris Smalling for an own goal, and Wolves saw it out to seal a memorable 2-1 win.

Analysis

So lightning can strike twice.

For the second time in 17 days Wolves beat Manchester United 2-1 at Molineux, writes Tim Spiers.

Just when you think they might have one eye on Sunday's date at Wembley – and, let's face it, most of us thought that was the case after an opening 20 minutes dominated by United – they go and produce an exhilarating comeback to earn yet another unforgettable win in this special season of wonder and surprises.

If at the start of the week you'd asked Wolves supporters if they'd accept two league defeats in exchange for a place in the FA Cup final, the majority would have accepted.

But, as Nuno said yesterday, it would be a huge mistake to take their eye off the league. Matt Doherty urged Wolves not to let their campaign peter out after Saturday's disappointing defeat at Burnley.

Yet again Wolves have bounced back – and in some style.

That's three games against United this season – two wins and one draw. The Red Devils changed formation to try and counter Nuno's boys but it didn't work and they were clearly rattled, earning a succession of bookings including two for the red-carded Ashley Young.

Molineux lapped it all up. As well as quality, creativity, pace, ability, technique, etc, they'd got bottle, spirit and heart by the bucketload. We saw it against Chelsea here when the came from behind to beat a top six side and they did it again here to take tally against English football's premier sextet this season to 13 from 10 matches.

It's a deeply impressive and envious record which hints at another unforgettable campaign in 2019/20.

For the here and now this was not only the perfect build-up for Wembley, it also epitomised Nuno's fearless Wolves – and was the ultimate testament to his famed 'game by game' approach.

Match report

Nuno made four changes from the XI that lost 2-0 at Burnley. Raul Jimenez and Matt Doherty, rested at Turf Moor, came back into the side, as did Ruben Vinagre and the suspension-free Ryan Bennett, with Romain Saiss and Jonny Castro Otto benched this time as well as Ivan Cavaleiro and Adama Traore.

Marcus Rashford missed out through illness for Manchester United, who showed Wolves a deep sign of respect by matching them up with three at the back. Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof were at centre-half, with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw down the flanks and Romelu Lukaku up front.

Nuno said at his pre-match press conference that it would be a very different encounter to last month's FA Cup game. That was certainly the case in the first 20 minutes when Wolves, unlike when they sat deep and defended three weeks ago, came out on the attack in an open start to the game.

Unfortunately that suited United down to the ground and after just 20 minutes they could and should have been 3-0 up.

The Red Devils made their intentions clear from the kick-off, with Jesse Lingard racing immediately towards goal and shooting at Rui Patricio after just six seconds.

At a noisy Molineux, where the home supporters predictably directed a few songs about their upcoming Wembley appearance at the away fans, Lukaku should have netted five minutes later but put his free header to close to Patricio.

The fired-up visitors continued to attack and it was no surprise when they took the lead. Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho were drawn to the ball outside their own box and it was played to Scott McTominay, who drilled low past a despairing Willy Boly challenge and into the corner via Patricio's fingertips.

The goal seemed to rock Wolves who were making sloppy and basic defensive errors. Shaw cut inside Matt Doherty and Wolves were indebted to Conor Coady for making a goal-saving sliding block, before Lingard was criminally offered acres of space just six yards out but couldn't beat Patricio with his header.

It looked like being a long night, but we should have known better than that. This Wolves team never fail to respond when you even begin considering writing them off.

True to form, seconds after Jimenez fired wide from a narrow angle, they equalised. The tenacious Moutinho won the ball off a dozing Fred high up the field, allowing Jimenez to beautifully thread a pass through two defenders for his partner in crime Jota who coolly beat David De Gea.

It was a classic Wolves goal – and it was the start of a rousing 20-minute spell of attacking football.

Leander Dendoncker should have made it 2-1 but crashed over from six yards after great work from Doherty, while a Neves half-volley was well saved by De Gea.

Jota ran Shaw ragged, as he did for that second goal in the Cup. Shaw learned his lesson this time, choosing to foul Jota instead of letting him scamper free, while the sprightly Vinagre also earned a booking off Shaw's fellow wing-back Dalot.

Lukaku sent Wolves another warning sign when he fired inches past the post just before the break, but Wolves had earned their 1-1 draw at the break after a spirited and stirring comeback.

The open nature of the game continued in the second half. Patricio produced an excellent save to deny a diving McTominay header as Wolves again failed to deal with a cross from the flanks.

At the other end Wolves were looking to counter attack predominantly through Jota, who earned another United booking when Young brought him down.

And just a few minutes later it was deja vu as Young again brought Jota down, after being handed a hospital pass. Referee Mike Dean had no hesitation in dishing out a second yellow and a red.

Wolves had the momentum and the initiative. Jimenez couldn't quite find Vinagre after De Gea inexplicably lost the ball as Wolves looked to take full advantage.

They were playing some glorious football at times and Jimenez epitomised their confidence when sending a 'rabona' cross into the box.

With 18 minutes remaining Nuno made his first change, sending on Cavaleiro for Jota and then Otto replaced Vinagre.

The changes gave Wolves renewed vigour – and they earned a second goal to take the roof off Molineux.

Moutinho's cross from the left was diverted goalwards by Jimenez ahead of the rooted De Gea, it bounced slowly towards goal, Dendoncker tried and failed to get a touch but Smalling definitely did as Wolves took the lead. It was diabolical and catastrophic defending but Wolves cared not a jot.

On came Saiss for Neves to help shore things up in the closing minutes. Far from sitting back they should have added another but Cavaleiro's smacked against the bar from 12 yards when in on goal.

It mattered not. "We're the famous Wolverhampton and we're going to Wembley" they sang at full volume as the game reached its joyous conclusion.

See you on Sunday.

Key moments

06 - United should be ahead. Dalot floats a cross right onto the head of Lukaku, six yards out, and he can only head the ball straight at Patricio. Top reflexes, but the striker has to be scoring there!

13 - Goal! McTominay puts the Red Devils in front with a great strike. From 25 yards, he drives one low into the far corner with his right foot. Patricio got fingertips to it. The shot was just too powerful though.

17 - The visitors have a glorious opportunity to double their advantage, but are denied by a decent Patricio save. Lingard is allowed acres of space to direct a header towards goal. Not enough on it.

25 - GOAAALLLLL! Wolves equalise as Jota slots home after Jimenez's beautifully-timed pass. Played onside by Young, the Portuguese takes a touch to control and coolly guides past De Gea. A partnership perfectly in sync.

31 - Nuno's side have sprung into life, and should be in front! Doherty's persistence sees him win the ball near the byline and he cuts it back to Dendoncker, who panics, blazing over.

45 - An exhilarating half of football ends with Lukaku going close once again for United. On the turn, his effort ends up rolling a few inches past the far post. Patricio was beaten.

57 - OFF! Young sees red for the Red Devils, getting a second booking for a late lunge on Jota. They would have regained the lead a couple of minutes ago had it not been for Patricio saving McTominay's header. Now, they are a man down.

77 - GOOOOOALLLLLLLL!! Wolves have completed the comeback! United allow Jimenez to head towards goal. Dendoncker tries to tap the ball in, but Smalling beats him to the punch and inadvertently knocks it in. An own goal that sends Molineux crazy!.

90 - Crossbar! Almost a third for Wolves as Cavaleiro breaks free, sets himself and rattles the woodwork with a thunderous left-footed shot.

Teams

Wolves (3-5-2): Patricio; Bennett, Coady (c), Boly; Doherty, Neves (Saiss, 84), Dendoncker, Moutinho, Vinagre (Otto, 75); Jimenez, Jota (Cavaleiro, 73)

Subs not used: Ruddy (gk), Gibbs-White, Traore, Costa

Goal: Jota (25), Smalling (OG 77)

Manchester United (3-5-2): De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof; Dalot (Pereira, 84), Fred (Jones, 65), McTominay, Pogba, Shaw; Lingard, Lukaku (Martial, 73)

Subs not used: Romero (gk), Rojo, Matic, Mata

Goal: McTominay (13)

Red card: Young (57)

Attendance: 31,302

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

League position

7th (47 points from 32 matches)

Next up

In case you hadn't heard, Wolves play Watford in an FA Cup semi final at Wembley on Sunday. Kick off is at 4pm.