Joao Moutinho scored the lone goal of the match in the 82nd minute to secure Wolves' first win at Old Trafford in 42 years.
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Manchester United suffered a shock Premier League defeat against Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday. Joao Moutinho scored the lone goal of the match in the 82nd minute to secure Wolves’ first win at Old Trafford in 42 years. Wolves were clearly the dominant side throughout the match especially in the opening half, as they registered 15 attempts to the home side’s four. Bruno Fernandes who came on as a substitute in the second half hit the crossbar while Cristiano Ronaldo, who was wearing the captains armband in the absence of Harry Maguire had a goal righty disallowed for offside.
A famous win for @Wolves!
They beat Man Utd at Old Trafford for the first time in the #PL#MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/7bqTQIbdwg
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 3, 2022
The visitors started the game brightly and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was called into two early saves as Wolves dominated the opening exchanges. The first saw him pushing away an effort from Daniel Podence at the near post before Ruben Neves’ stinging volley from outside the box was tipped over the crossbar.
Few minutes later, right-back Nelson Semedo tested De Gea at the near post, although it was a routine save for the Spanish custodian. Meanwhile the home side’s best chance of the half came just before the break, when Mason Greenwood was Aaron Wan-Bissaka combined down the right side, but the latter’s cross went just over the head of Ronaldo at the back post.
After the break, United came out with a bit more intent and Fernandes’ introduction gave them a bit more spark going forward. The Portuguese international had United’s best chance of the match in the 66th minute. Nemanja Matic’s cut back from the left flank found an unmarked Fernandes inside the box but the 27-year-old’s effort rattled the crossbar before going wide. Just after that, Ronaldo put the ball in the back of the net from Fernandes’ free-kick but the linesman righty raised the flag for offside.
Meanwhile at the other end, Romain Saiss’s free-kick smacked the crossbar before Wolves deservedly scored the winner through Moutinho, eight minutes from time. Adama Traore’s cross was nodded away by Phil Jones, but only as far as Moutinho, waiting at the edge of the area. The midfielder took a touch before putting the ball into the back of the net past De Gea to seal the win for Bruno Lage’s side.
United could have scored a last-gasp equalizer with a perfectly-positioned free-kick, but Fernandes’ effort was superbly pushed away by Jose Sa as he secured a clean sheet for his side. The win helped Wolves to eighth spot with 28 points from 18 games while Manchester united are placed 7th with 31 points from 19 games.
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