Updated at 21.59
JOAO MOUTINHO fired Wolves to a first win at Old Trafford since 1980 as Ralf Rangnick’s unbeaten start to life as Manchester United’s interim manager came to an end.
The Red Devils finished 2021 with a much-needed home win against Burnley, but the new year got off to a terrible start as their sloppy, disjointed display was punished by Bruno Lage’s impressive visitors.
Wolves had not played for 15 days due to coronavirus-related postponements, but they showed few signs of rust at Old Trafford, where Moutinho struck late on to secure a deserved 1-0 win.
Wanderers had failed to win in their last 10 league games at United and it looked like that run might continue after they failed to score in a one-sided first half in which they managed an eye-watering 15 shots.
Phil Jones, making his first appearance in 708 days, was one of the few to impress for United, who belatedly showed flickers of life after Rangnick’s decision to take off lively attacker Mason Greenwood was booed.
Replacement Bruno Fernandes struck the bar and then sent over a free-kick that Cristiano Ronaldo directed home from an offside position.
But Romain Saiss also hit the woodwork from a free-kick and Wolves found a way through in the 82nd minute, when Moutinho controlled a clearance and hit a low drive past David De Gea to send the travelling hordes into raptures.
There was a similarly impressive roar at the final whistle after goalkeeper Jose Sa superbly saved Fernandes stoppage-time free-kick to seal victory.
I just cannot understand this united team. How can players who play football for a living train every day be so bad? They can’t control the ball, they can’t give simple passes, they can’t press, they can’t tackle they are frighteningly bad it’s actually incredible to witness. Players on 100s of thousands of pounds a week doing things that you would genuinely get roasted for playing football with your local team on a Saturday morning. Mind boggling.
@rory: summed up perfectly
@rory: totally agree. Mid table team at best right now.
@Brendan O’ Gorman: not even mid table though. They got outplayed by Newcastle and Norwich as well they are beyond shocking.
@rory: No need to roast Saturday morning players my friend
@Brendan O’ Gorman: incorrect. I’m a United all my life, but this is shockin. I won’t give up on them, but it’s breaking me to watch this every game
@rory: Norwich I believe have professional footballers too. Their results are worse. Having said that, they are nicer to watch
Ralf’s at the rudder
@Larry Betts: Ralf’s Rags?
Jonesy was united’s motm pleased for him. About the only decent thing you can say about that game from a united perspective.
@Fred spins kdb: his defensive header wasn’t the best tho
@Tim Oconnell: what would you have done yourself?
@Tim Oconnell: mctominey was at fault
@Fred spins kdb: you are supposed to put it back out the way it came, or flick it on to the other wing. Simple stuff you teach kids in training. You don’t put it into the front of your goal. Surely as a football fan/player you know this?
@Gordon Larney: ideally but the cross was coming fairly quick. If attempting to put it back the way it came it could have possibly went into the path of the player in front of him or gone out to the opposite wing he could have glanced it to the player behind him. Someone should have been quicker out on moutinho, i.e. mctominay. If there now going to be playing a pressing game, it’s reasonable to expect more than a light jog to an attacker on the edge of the box. i think it’s a bit harsh to lay the blame on a player whos been out for 2 years and obviously lacking match sharpness.
@Fred spins kdb: you think it’s harsh to blame a player that’s been out for2 years? My god, have you one iota why hes been out for the last2 years? Let me explain it to you. Jones has proven his entire Utd carrear that he is no way near good enough to be a bench player, never mind a first team starter at Utd. Out of a squad of 20+, Utd have, at a push, about four players that top european clubs competing for trophys would even consider buying. Not one of Utds defence is world class,(keeper apart) they have ronaldo(36) so not one for the future, Cavani (34) so not one for the future and greenwood, who maybe one for the future. Apart from that bruno is the only one, After that, and yes im including rashford, not one Utd player is anyway near good enough to wear the jersey. IMO of course….
@Gordon Larney: there is also the small matter of the long history of extensive injuries that he has Gordon. I didnt imply that i think any of the things you are lecturing me about are wrong, i was giving my opinion on one specific passage of play. If you have read any of my posts on here you would see that i agree with you on most have what you have said there, so relax a small bit. Sound.
New manager, same old wheel
@Colm Mc Cabe: That’s not a shabby Wolves team. They have recently played City, Liverpool, Chelsea & Utd conceding only one goal form open play.
Having said that Utd were poor, losing all the battles. If Wolves had a cutting edge they would have won by more.
Wolves were brilliant tonight against a poor mid table team
@Michael Graham: West Park Albion would have beaten them
@In the paper: i think its fifty this year Albert
@Michael Graham: Sorry Mick it’s not Albert
Thought it was all ole’s fault?
@Brian Dunne: I don’t think anybody said it was all oles fault tbf Brian but he was certainly another person in the chain that wasn’t up to the job seemingly.
@Paul Mallon: dont know paul,there was plenty on here blaming ole solely for the mess the club is in
@Brian Dunne: obviously United’s problems go beyond the manager du jour!
Hard to credit how this United simply can’t gel together. Sitting here scratching my head as to how they can be so disorganised and poor. Full credit to Wolves, they deserved their win but there are a gaggle of so called “superstars” at United who’d want their backsides kicked hard
Ole in
A very poor game , too pedestrian and passes going astray all over the place . This was terrible from a home side with the amount of the talent they have at their disposal, if Ronaldo is not getting the ball in the box or from an error by a defender , then I’m afraid he is a passenger .
@Tricksy: was thinking the same thing watching the game, he was an absolute passenger tonight and in a few games now, I was thinking he might have a clause in his contract to play every game as he seems to be undroppable even when he’s playing rubbish
@Tricksy: He was bought to sell jerseys, not to win trophies
@Shaun Gallagher: no jerseys bought when silver is missing .
@James Neill: I think starting without him would bring goals and maybe introduce him later in the game , but unless he gets service from wide he will struggle and united don’t get the ball in early from wide areas .
First of many defeats for wreckit Ralf. This Man Utd. team is the worst in a generation. Cannot string passes together. They actually come across as unfit and therefore unprofessional and not worthy of the badge.
@Brendan O’ Gorman: Wreckitralf love it lol
Tough to be a united fan at the moment…. They looked far worse tonight than any time under Ole….no shape, no tactics and very pedestrian
Don’t understand the frustration….you can’t expect a mid table time like utd to be winning all their games, it’s only the big teams that should be getting the abuse when they lose!
@Cormac McCann: Sad comment. They finished 2nd last year, and got to the Europa League final. Year before, 3rd. In the summer they added one of the greatest players ever, a world cup winning centre back, and a 21 year old who was on the Bundesliga team of the year. They’re 4 points off 4th, with a game in hand, and have won more games any team below them in the table. How are they a mid table team? Daft comment, and I’m a Leeds fan. We are were mid-table team (although that status could be in danger).
@Cathal Carr: Leeds fans will love you for comments like that about utd!
Poor, even for Utd!
United were absolutely woeful but Wolves played some lovely football
Wreak it Ralf
Under 15 girls team would have beaten Utd today …Total disarray in the team
Rancid Ralf. Nice one to top off the Xmas holidays
#upset… not me I’m delighted! Hi ho Wolverhampton.
A lot of players need to be shown the door
Ralf was brought in for his pressing game now there depressing
No matter how much talent you have poor workrate can make you plummet
Need 11 Phil Jones
Same old Man U.
Normal service has resumed……
This is getting comical! Full credit to Wolves but United are in complete disarray at the moment. I don’t know how Rashford justifies 200+ K a week as he’s a headless chicken. Fair play to Jones despite some fault for the goal he completed 90 mins and looked pretty confident and assured throughout. The new manager can’t be blamed for this one. Too many players not taking responsibility at the moment.
Bring back Ole!
We all dream of a team of Gary Breens, a team of Gary Breens, a team of Gary Breens …
So…
@Ro-your-nan: Happy for Wolves … said I’d finish that sentence for you :)
Wolves are a very good side with top players believe it or not it’s not all about Utd ,look at the team sheets ,the better team on paper and on the pitch won
United are a mess. Why is Darren fletcher in the technical area barking instructions. Why is rangknick putting up with it. Wouldn’t happen at any other club. Shows Ralph up too be weak and another yes man
Ralf is called the professor he looked clueless as what to do today
There unfit, don’t seem to have any idea how to play in the same team together, here are the issues I see, the full backs are just that full backs who are not comfortable going forward and AWB is not good enough for Utd- McGuire, McTominy Fred are also not good enough for Utd- Ronaldo and Cavani are not suited to playing together- I think maybe it’s time for 4-3-3 Ronaldo/Cavani share the role as striker – and the kids need a chance now instead of some senior players and build from there- but I think the board won’t let that happen as money is more important