Bruno Fernandes’s third red card of the season proved costly as Manchester United slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, deepening their mid-winter woes and extending their losing streak to three games across all competitions. Wolves, battling relegation, capitalized on Fernandes’s dismissal to secure a vital victory that lifted them out of the drop zone, while United slipped to 14th in the Premier League table. The first half remained goalless, punctuated by impressive saves from both goalkeepers. Diogo Dalot forced a spectacular diving save from Jose Sa, while Andre Onana tipped Jorgen Strand Larsen’s powerful header over the bar, preventing Wolves from taking an early lead.
The game’s turning point arrived shortly after the restart. Fernandes, already on a yellow card, received his marching orders for a foul on Nelson Semedo. Wolves immediately seized the initiative, although Strand Larsen’s subsequent header was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. The pressure finally paid off in the 58th minute when Matheus Cunha, who had been a constant thorn in United’s side throughout the match, delivered a stunning corner kick that curled directly into the net, leaving Onana rooted to the spot in disbelief.
Despite a late surge from United, including a headed effort from Harry Maguire that was comfortably saved by Sa, it was Wolves who struck again in the dying embers of the game. A swift counter-attack culminated in Cunha feeding Hwang Hee-chan, who coolly slotted the ball past Onana to seal a crucial three points for the home side. The victory provided a much-needed boost for Wolves, who showcased a determined and clinical performance against a struggling United side.
The defeat further highlighted United’s ongoing struggles under manager Ruben Amorim. With just one win in their last five league games, the team appears to be lacking direction and cohesion. The absence of Marcus Rashford, who was not included in the squad for the fourth consecutive match, fueled speculation about his future at the club. Furthermore, the lack of visible interaction between Amorim and Fernandes following the red card suggested a possible rift between the manager and his captain.
Matheus Cunha deservedly earned the Player of the Match accolade for his influential performance. His goal and assist were the highlights of his display, but his overall contribution was significant. Cunha consistently troubled United’s defense, drawing fouls and creating opportunities for his teammates. He was instrumental in Wolves’ victory, demonstrating his growing importance to the team.
The match statistics further underscored Wolves’ dominance. They enjoyed the majority of possession and created more scoring chances, demonstrating their control over the game. United, on the other hand, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and lacked the cutting edge required to break down a resilient Wolves defense. The result leaves United with serious questions to answer as they look to arrest their slide down the table. Wolves, meanwhile, will be hoping to build on this victory and climb further away from the relegation zone.
