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Premier League | Gameweek 6
Sep 22, 2018 at 3pm UK
 
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1-1

Fred (18')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Moutinho (53')

Live Commentary: Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage as Wolverhampton Wanderers earn an impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
2

Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have played out a 1-1 draw in Saturday's Premier League fixture at Old Trafford.

Fred gave United the lead in the 18th minute after Wolves had squandered a number of chances, but Wolves were level when Joao Moutinho found the top corner after the break.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing quarter of the game, but neither side deserved to lose as they extended their respective unbeaten streaks.

Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-West courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Just one point and one place separates these two clubs in the standings, but who will prevail at Old Trafford? Let's take a look at the two starting lineups...

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; Fred, Fellaini; Lingard, Pogba, Sanchez; Lukaku

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Bailly, Young, Pereira, Mata, McTominay, Martial


WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jota, Costa; Jimenez

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBSTITUTES: Ruddy, Hause, Saiss, Vinagre, Gibbs-White, Traore, Bonatini


Let's start by taking a look at United as Jose Mourinho decides to make four changes to the team which began the Champions League fixture with Young Boys. The most notable return is that of Alexis Sanchez, who comes in for Anthony Martial in attack.

As expected, Antonio Valencia comes back into the team on the right side of the defence, with Diogo Dalot being rested for Tuesday's EFL Cup clash with Derby County. Jesse Lingard - who was also rested for the game in midweek - also starts, as does Marouane Fellaini.

Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford have both dropped out of the team due to continuing to serve their domestic suspensions. Rashford is sitting out the second of three games for his red card at Burnley, while Matic has a one-match ban for two yellow cards at Watford last weekend.

Mourinho said in his pre-match press conference that Phil Jones was ready to make his return from injury, but the defender does not feature in the 18-man squad. Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira both feature among the replacements.

As for Wolves, Nuno Espirito Santo opts to name the same starting lineup for the sixth Premier League fixture in a row. It means that the Portuguese has not made a single alteration for any of the club's matches in this season's top flight.

As a result, Adama Traore must continue to remain patient for his first league start in a Wolves shirt, despite a number of lively cameos from the bench. Expect the winger to be involved at some point during the second half.

There is still no place among the substitutes for Leander Dendoncker. The Belgium international is likely to eventually become a major part of this Wolves team but he must wait for his Premier League bow.

The bench selected by Nuno is the same as last week's. It means that Leo Bonatini is kept in reserve alongside the likes of youngsters Ruben Vinagre and Morgan Gibbs-White.

However, let's move away from the match itself because today marks the return of Sir Alex Ferguson to Old Trafford after he suffered a brain haemorrhage in May.



RESULT! The full-time whistle has just gone in the match involving Fulham and Watford, with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. Click here to read our on-the-whistle match report.

This may be the first time that these two managers are facing other in the dugout, but they are very familiar with each other due to Nuno being used as Mourinho's backup goalkeeper during their time at Porto. Click here to see what Mourinho has had to say about the former stopper.

Mourinho has been complimentary about Wolves in general due to the results since the arrival of Nuno, and he feels that the West Midlands outfit should be equipped to remain in the Premier League. Click here to see what he has had to say.

Today's game is United's first home fixture since the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and the North-West giants are looking to avoid back-to-back league setbacks at Old Trafford for the first time since March 2014.

The same applies when it comes to goals, with United not failing to score in successive games at the Theatre of Dreams since losing 3-0 to both Liverpool and Manchester City.

Mourinho himself has never suffered two home league defeats in a row throughout his entire career. You can be sure that he will be extremely motivated to ensure that does not happen this afternoon.

That said, United have only lost once in 49 home matches against newly-promoted sides. That came against Norwich City in 2015, and it highlights the task awaiting Wolves today.

United have also rediscovered some form after their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign. Three wins and seven goals have been recorded in wins at Burnley, Watford and Young Boys.

As for Wolves, they are looking to register three consecutive wins in the top flight for the first time since 1980. The odds are not stacked in their favour, but they possess plenty of confidence heading into this contest.

Wolves have only registered narrow triumphs over West Ham United and Burnley, but Nuno's side could have won both games far more convincingly. It's just a matter of taking their chances in the final third when they arrive.

Ahead of this weekend's action, Wolves have had the fourth-most shots in the Premier League with 78. However, just five goals have come from those efforts.

Raul Jimenez has had the majority of those, with the Mexican having 17 shots with a return of two goals. The 27-year-old is no stranger to Old Trafford having represented Benfica at this ground in the Champions League last season.

PREDICTION! Wolves will make the trip to the North-West of England high on confidence, but United are starting to find their feet. Mourinho's side only have a small period of recovery after the midweek match in Switzerland, but they should have enough to edge out the West Midlands team. United to win by a 3-1 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD! Saturday's meeting represents the 99th competitive fixture between the two clubs, with United recording 48 wins in comparison to 34 victories for Wolves.

There has not been a draw since Wolves won promotion to the Premier League in 2003, with United prevailing nine times out of 11 contests.

The most recent encounter took place in March 2012 as United registered a 5-0 triumph at Molineux. It came at a time when Wolves had just parted company with Mick McCarthy and were already heading back towards the Football League.

It's time for the two teams to start making their way out at Old Trafford. Both sets of supporters are in full voice, but which section will be left disappointed in a couple of hours time? We are about to find out.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; Fred, Fellaini; Lingard, Pogba, Sanchez; Lukaku

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Jota, Costa; Jimenez


KICKOFF:  Wolves get us underway!

The visitors are straight onto the front foot and they win a corner within 30 seconds. The ball from the left is a good one, but United deal with the danger.

United's first attack leads to Valencia being played into the area and Jonny takes a risk by diving into a challenge with the right-back. Valencia goes down, but the referee decides that the Spaniard has done nothing wrong and there is no appeal from the United man.

Wolves look lively on the break, but United are starting to put the visitors back into the own half. It has been a positive start from both teams.

CHANCE!  Wolves almost take the lead. A cross from the right finds Jimenez, who controls the ball before getting a shot away. It is a well-struck effort, but De Gea sticks out a leg to prevent the ball from finding the net.

United have been warned and it has resulted in the home side being content with a spell of possession in their defensive and middle thirds. Wolves are happy to sit back and allow their hosts to have the ball.

The last couple of minutes have been scrappy from United, with Wolves once again making inroads down the right. Doherty has been a constant threat.

A long ball down the side catches United out and Jimenez is able to run onto it. The forward attempts to find Jota on the other side of the pitch, but Valencia diverts the ball away for a corner.

CHANCE!  Another chance for Wolves. The outswinging corner finds Bennett by the penalty spot, and the defender powers a header just over the crossbar after beating Pogba in the air.

Nuno will be delighted with this start but again, it's a case of Wolves needing to take their opportunities when they come. They are the better side right now.

SAVE!  How are Wolves not ahead in this game?! Another outswinging corner finds its target with Boly powering a header towards the net. However, De Gea somehow reacts to keep the ball out. It's an outstanding save down to his left.

GOAL!  Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Fred)

And just like that, United take the lead. Coady's headed clearance only goes to Pogba on the edge of the area and after a neat layoff to Fred, the summer signing drills a low shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

It is going to be interesting to see how Wolves react to going behind. They had pretty much dominated the opening stages, but that goal for United has really lifted the crowd.

Wolves are still having their moments going forward, but United are attacking with more purpose and Wolves are now that little bit more wary of what is coming back at them.

Kevin Friend's head has just brought an end to a United attack, with Wolves nearly putting together a swift counter. Fortunately for the official, it came to nothing.

United have been in the ascendancy over the past few minutes, but Wolves have finally got their foot back on the ball. The visitors are not retreating into their shell, but they are showing a lot more patience than they were earlier.

It has all quietened down a touch now. Lots of time is being spent in the middle thirds, and that suits both sides for now.

Jota attempts to go round the outside of Smalling having been provided with some time and space down the left, but the United centre-back shows his strength in ensuring that the Portuguese playmaker does not come near to getting a cross into the middle.

United win a free kick on the right and Fred's floated delivery towards the back post leads to Fellaini and Smalling causing issues for the Wolves defence, but the ball goes through a pack of players and is cleared.

United are getting closer to a second. Lingard, Sanchez and Lukaku are all involved in getting the ball into the penalty area, but Coady gets across to clear.

Better from Wolves as Jimenez breaks into the penalty area and crosses for Jonny. The wing-back controls the ball but cannot fashion a chance for a teammate after being blocked off.

Wolves zip the ball about really impressively for a good 90 seconds, but the final ball into the penalty area is over-hit and United have a goal kick.

YELLOW CARD!  Shaw goes into the book for bringing down Costa when the winger was attempting to get into space down the right.

Wolves continue to spray the ball about with little fear of losing it in a dangerous area and it looks fantastic when it pays off. However, on the odd occasion, they are coming close to over-playing things.

Jimenez concedes a free kick on the right-hand side of the penalty area with a handball, and this is a big chance for United to double their advantage.

SHOT!  Sanchez decides to take the shot on - I think - and the ball goes well over the far post. There will be one minute of added-on time.

United win another set piece in the last seconds of the first half. It's in shooting range. The referee is going to allow United to take it...

SAVE!  What a save from Patricio! Fred curls the ball around the outside of the wall and his shot appears destined for the corner, but the Portuguese goalkeeper gets across to make a stunning one-handed intervention.

HALF TIME:  Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

The half-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and United lead thanks to Fred's first goal for the club. Wolves have had their moments at Old Trafford and should have been ahead before conceding, but the West Midlands outfit have it all to do in the second half.

Wolves had dominated the opening stages of the contest, but Fred made the visitors rue their missed chances. The ball fell invitingly for the Brazilian on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder made no mistake with a low drive to the right of Patricio.

All of Wolves' best chances came in the opening 16 minutes with Jimenez, Bennett and Boly all going close. The visitors will be relatively pleased with their first-half performance, but they need an extra cutting edge after the break.

KICKOFF:  United get us back underway.

Both teams are showing plenty of intent at the start of this second half. The next goal in this contest is vitally important.

Wolves have already wasted a couple of openings down the right, while De Gea has been forced into a mistake with a clearance. Positive signs from the visitors, but they need to find an equaliser from somewhere.

CHANCE!  United are starting to up the pressure and Sanchez battles his way towards goal before creating a chance for himself, only to see Patricio make the block at the near post.

GOAL!  Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Joao Moutinho)

Wolves are level and it is a sensational finish from Moutinho! A cross from the byline was controlled by Jimenez and laid into the path of Moutinho, who found the top corner with a first-time curling effort from 18 yards.

That goal has stunned Old Trafford. United were just getting on top again, but Moutinho's strike has left the home supporters knowing that their side are in a game here.

SHOT!  Wolves really fancy this. United are dispossessed and the ball soon arrives at the feet of Costa, who runs towards the penalty area before sending a shot over the crossbar from 25 yards.

We can't be too far away from changes for both sides. I'd expect Martial and Traore to be introduced for their respective sides. This game is really in the balance.

YELLOW CARD!  Neves goes into the book for a foul on Pogba. The caution had been coming.

SHOT!  Some pressure from United leads to Pogba letting fly with a shot from 30 yards, with his effort going just wide of Patricio's right-hand post.

SUBSTITUTIONS! It is a double alteration from United with Mata and Martial replacing Fred and Sanchez.

Mourinho has made two attacking changes, but it is Wolves who are on the offensive right now. They certainly aren't settling for a point.

SHOT!  Jota works his way inside from the right to give himself a chance of getting a strike away, but his low effort is well saved by De Gea down to his left.

SHOT!  Back up the other end, Patricio just about does enough to divert Lingard's 30-yard attempt over the crossbar. This has developed into a brilliant game of football.

SHOT!  We haven't seen much of Neves in an attacking sense today but the Portuguese can't help himself when getting the chance to shoot from 35 yards. It's a solid strike, but that is never beating De Gea.

CHANCE!  Back come United with Shaw delivering the perfect cross for Fellaini who is waiting at the back post. However, the midfielder's header is too close to Patricio who is able to claim at the second time of asking.

United are really starting to increase the pressure. On this occasion, however, Lingard's looping header went harmlessly over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Both teams make a change. For United, Pereira is on for Lingard while Traore has replaced Costa for Wolves.

SHOT!  Pereira has an instant impact by drawing a foul out of Moutinho around 35 yards from goal. Pogba is taking a look at this and shoots from well out, with Patricio making a comfortable save.

If there is going to be a winner in this game, you would say that United are favourites. Wolves still carry a threat, but it is the home side who are showing the most ambition.

SUBSTITUTION! A second alteration from Wolves sees Saiss come on for Moutinho.

Ouch. We are going to have a lengthy stoppage in play after Boly and Doherty collide with each other in the penalty area when attempting to clear the ball.

Both teams look ok to continue, at least for now. Seven minutes to go. This game is still up for grabs.

That said, it is all United. A couple of their players are starting to look tired. United have a free kick from distance after a foul by Saiss, but it comes to nothing.

SUBSTITUTION! Wolves make a third change with teenager Gibbs-White being introduced for Jota.

Fellaini is being used in a more advanced position now and it is causing Wolves all kind of problems. The midfielder looks ready to score off a corner, only for Coady to flick the ball over the crossbar.

There will be five minutes of added-on time.

SHOT!  Wolves hit United on the break through Traore and the substitute decides to go himself, almost forcing the ball inside the near post with a well-struck shot which is saved by De Gea.

The visitors are doing their best to get up the pitch but United are relentlessly on the offensive now.

SHOT!  Traore is released on the break again and sees a speculative effort saved by De Gea. He should have probably gone to the corner.

FULL TIME:  Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

The full-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and Wolves have held on to earn a 1-1 draw at Manchester United. Fred gave the home side the lead, but Moutinho levelled things up in equally impressive fashion to secure a deserved point for the visitors.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.


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Jose Mourinho pictured during a Manchester United training session on September 18, 2018
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