Manchester United's post-Christmas form failed to improve as they laboured to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday. The result leaves Ruben Amorim's side in sixth place heading into the New Year, but the performance offered little cause for optimism for the frustrated home support.
A Stuttering Start and a Fortuitous Lead
The match began with Wolves showing positive intent, mirroring their approach in the 4-1 defeat at Molineux three weeks prior. However, it was United who crafted the first clear opportunities. Jose Sa was forced to claw a Luke Shaw corner from under his crossbar, and Benjamin Sesko fired a low shot just wide after a driving run.
The hosts' attacking play lacked fluency, a situation exacerbated by the absence of eight senior players including captain Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and the injured Mason Mount. The breakthrough, when it came in the 27th minute, arrived in fortunate circumstances.
Defender Ayden Heaven, impressive again after a man-of-the-match display against Newcastle, made a crucial interception to halt Hwang Hee-chan. He surged forward and found Joshua Zirkzee, whose attempted flick rebounded off Ladislav Krejci. Heaven's follow-up effort was tame, but it took a decisive deflection off Krejci's chest, wrong-footing Sa and trickling into the net.
Wolves Fight Back Before the Break
United came close to doubling their lead before half-time. Patrick Dorgu, full of confidence after his winner against Newcastle, saw a shot deflected wide, and from the resulting Shaw corner, Sesko headed against the outside of the post.
Wolves, however, finished the half strongly. After Hwang fired wide and Tolu Arokodare headed over, they deservedly equalised on the stroke of half-time. From a Hugo Bueno corner, Zirkzee's defensive header fell to Ladislav Krejci at the back post, who guided a fine header past Senne Lammens to make it 1-1.
The visitors had enjoyed twice as many touches in United's penalty area during the first period, leaving manager Ruben Amorim shaking his head in clear dissatisfaction as he headed for the tunnel.
A Stalemate Sealed in the Second Half
The second half failed to produce a winner, though both sides had chances. In a bizarre moment, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera nearly headed into his own net, only for Sa to scramble back and claw the ball off the line. At the other end, Lammens saved well from Krejci and then prevented Mosquera from tapping in the rebound.
Amorim turned to his bench of academy products, handing a debut to Bendito Mantato. The closest either side came to a winner was in the 90th minute when Dorgu thought he had scored into an empty net after Sa saved from Sesko, but the offside flag was raised against the Danish striker.
The draw means Wolves, while still deep in relegation trouble, have at least ended an 11-match Premier League losing streak. For United, the point does little to mask the concerns surrounding a squad stretched by injury and lacking creative spark.
