Manchester United 0-1 Wolves: Red Devils suffer 15th Premier League defeat of the season as Wolves stun Old Trafford with late winner
Manchester United's troubled Premier League campaign continued on Sunday as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Pablo Sarabia’s late free kick sealing the visitors’ win at Old Trafford.
Coming off the high of a dramatic 5-4 Europa League victory over Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday, United were expected to build momentum. But they offered little threat in the first half, registering just one shot on target and failing to ignite the home crowd.
The game shifted slightly after Bruno Fernandes came off the bench, adding some much-needed creativity, yet United failed to capitalize on their improved second-half display. That wastefulness proved costly as Sarabia, introduced as a substitute, curled a superb free kick into the top corner with 13 minutes remaining.
Mason Mount missed two golden opportunities to salvage a point, compounding the frustration for United fans as their team slipped to a 15th Premier League defeat — their highest tally in a single season since 1989-90. Manager Ruben Amorim’s side now sit 14th in the standings, with Wolves level on points just below them.
"We suffered a goal with their only shot to the goal," Amorim told Sky Sports. "They scored a goal and we lose the game. It will be like this, ups and downs and let's finish the season. These days are really disappointing. We were better than the opponents but if you don't score goals, you don't win games."
Off the pitch, Old Trafford was animated before kickoff as fans voiced their discontent with new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. Supporters displayed large banners protesting planned seating changes that would move some fans to accommodate VIP guests next season.
On the field, both teams struggled to create clear chances early on. Wolves, under Vitor Pereira and chasing a fifth straight top-flight victory for the first time since 1970, looked blunt in attack. United’s best moment of the first half came when Christian Eriksen tested Dan Bentley with a free kick — Bentley having been drafted in just before kickoff after Jose Sa was ruled out through injury.
The introduction of Fernandes offered a spark, and the midfielder quickly set up a chance for Rasmus Hojlund, who failed to make contact at the far post. Fernandes himself also missed a good opportunity before Sarabia's moment of brilliance settled the contest.
Wolves completed a league double over United for the first time since the 1979-80 season, though the feat has become more common in a turbulent campaign for the Red Devils, who have now been beaten home and away by five teams.
"I think this team needed a change," Sarabia told the BBC. "With Vitor (Pereira), something changed. The most important thing is that the players are very happy on the pitch and because of this it is possible to do the best on the pitch."
SportsLigue