The final game of opening week in the Premier League takes place at Old Trafford tonight. Manchester United will be confident of a strong start to their second season under Erik ten Hag and hand competitive debuts to Andre Onana and Mason Mount this evening, though star summer signing Rasmus Hojlund will have to wait a bit longer as he nurses a back problem.
Despite some mixed pre-season results and their rivals’ monster spending, hopes are high for Man Utd again in 2023/24 after last season’s Carabao Cup win and third-place finish. That’s in stark contrast to Wolves, who most are tipping for a difficult relegation battle this term after a difficult summer notably light on transfers that culminated in head coach Julen Lopetegui exiting just three days before the season start. Ex-Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil was quickly parachuted in and has a big job on his hands at Molineux.
Improving his side’s away form could be crucial to their survival hopes, while Wolves have won on only one of their last 12 top-flight visits to the Theatre of Dreams. Follow Manchester United vs Wolves updates live below!
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Ten Hag will hope that Hojlund can get himself fit as soon as possible. A real lack of cutting edge from United so far tonight.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
Half-time
Goalless at the break at Old Trafford, with two of the best chances to date falling for Wolves pair Pablo Sarabia and the impressive Matheus Cunha.
United have had some useful moments in patches, but they have struggled to find much rhythm or momentum so far and it’s all very disjointed in attack.
Ten Hag will be frustrated, but Gary O’Neil delighted at the moment.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
47 mins: This time it’s Wolves caught in possession and United quickly play in Rashford, whose shot is deflected behind.
Varane has a free header from the resulting corner to end the half, but he’s distracted by the two players jumping in front of him and ends up steering the ball well wide.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
45 mins: Just the two minutes of added time signalled at the end of this first half – we’ve got used to seeing much more than that so far this season.
United threaten Wolves once more, but the disciplined and well-drilled visitors have plenty of gold shirts back inside the box and captain Max Kilman – who signed a new five-year contract at Molineux this week – blocks Antony’s hopeful shot.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
43 mins: Sloppy again from United and Wolves charge forward on the counter, with Shaw retrospectively booked for a bad challenge on Sarabia.
It’s an eye-catching run from Neto, but United get enough bodies back into their own box and the danger is averted.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
41 mins: United are having more joy as we approach half-time, with Martinez playing a superb volleyed pass into Rashford, who turns sharply.
The ball ends up being lashed well wide by Garnacho, who has had a difficult first half up against Semedo.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
39 mins: Manchester United’s penalty appeals are waved away after Wan-Bissaka gets to the byline well and stands up a back-post cross for Rashford, whose header strikes the arm of Semedo at close range.
It was by his side and he had no control over it, certainly not making his body unnaturally bigger. No spot-kick, good decision.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
37 mins: Shaw whips the ball into the six-yard box and it’s spilled by Jose Sa, with Matheus Nunes brought down by Garnacho before Antony’s strike is blocked.
The whistle has gone for that foul by Garnacho, much to Wolves’ relief. All got a bit messy for them there.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
34 mins: Ait-Nouri takes too long over a throw-in and has his name taken. The Algerian full-back should have been booked earlier as well for hauling down Antony.
The home crowd’s frustration is ramping up here as United continue to misplace pass after pass. They look so disjointed in attack.
The celebrated centre-back pairing of Varane and Martinez doesn’t look so solid either, with the Argentine in particular struggling with Cunha.
Manchester United 0-0 Wolves
32 mins: It’s getting a little bit feisty now out there with Matheus Cunha back on his feet, Lemina now down and Rashford also having a little nibble.
Suddenly Wolves spring forward again and the very sharp Cunha fires a low shot from inside the box just wide of Onana’s far post.
The best two chances of the first half so far have fallen to the visitors.
