Manchester United's hopes of a straightforward victory against the Premier League's basement side were dashed on a frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford, as Wolverhampton Wanderers scrapped to a well-earned 1-1 draw.
Depleted United Fail to Impose Themselves
With eight first-team players absent, including captain Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, and Harry Maguire, United faced a Wolves team that arrived with just two points from their opening fixtures. Despite the glaring disparity in form and availability, Ruben Amorim's side struggled for large periods to dominate their supposedly inferior opponents, raising immediate questions about the team's cohesion and attacking potency.
The hosts' performance was sporadic at best, and their opening goal just before the half-hour mark carried a significant slice of fortune. A driving run from defender Ayden Heaven led to the ball falling to Joshua Zirkzee, whose shot took a decisive deflection off Ladislav Krejci to wrong-foot goalkeeper José Sá and trickle over the line.
Krejci Roars Back for Deserved Wolves Equaliser
Wolves, who had enjoyed the better of the early possession, refused to fold. They continued to probe and were finally rewarded on the stroke of half-time. From a Hugo Bueno corner, the ball flicked off Zirkzee at the near post and fell perfectly for an unmarked Ladislav Krejci at the back post, who powered a header past Senne Lammens to send the travelling supporters into raptures.
The Czech defender's celebration, a roar of pure delight, encapsulated what the goal meant for a team desperate for their first win of the campaign. The goal completely shifted the momentum, sending Wolves in at the break buoyant and United deflated.
Wolves Spurn Late Chances for Famous Victory
The second half saw United attempt to increase the tempo, with youngster Jack Fletcher introduced for Zirkzee. While they created half-chances through Diogo Dalot and Benjamin Sesko—who earlier hit the post—their play was often punctuated by clumsiness, such as Luke Shaw's foul on Mateus Mané.
It was Wolves who came closest to snatching all three points in the closing stages. Jhon Arias forced a late save from Lammens, and in the 89th minute, Patrick Dorgu thought he had won it, only for his effort to be correctly ruled out for offside. Yerson Mosquera also failed to convert a follow-up after Lammens saved from Krejci again.
At the final whistle, a draw felt like a far more respectable result for Rob Edwards's Wolves. For Manchester United, despite their injury crisis, dropping points at home to the league's bottom team is a severe blow to any aspirations of Champions League qualification, highlighting the scale of the task facing Amorim.
