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Wolves logo
Premier League | Gameweek 38
May 23, 2021 at 4pm UK
Molineux
Manchester United logo

Wolves
1 - 2
Man Utd

Semedo (39')
Ait-Nouri (41'), Dendoncker (41'), Boly (75'), Gibbs-White (90+6')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Elanga (13'), Mata (45+4' pen.)
Henderson (56')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delighted with Manchester United youngsters

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delighted with Man United youngsters
© Reuters
With second place already guaranteed and Wednesday's Europa League final against Villarreal ahead, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to his starting line-up.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expressed his pride in his young players after Manchester United won 2-1 at Wolves to complete the "terrific achievement" of going through the whole Premier League season undefeated away from home.

With second place already guaranteed and Wednesday's Europa League final against Villarreal ahead, boss Solskjaer made 10 changes to his starting line-up for the match at Molineux.

Those coming in included Amad Diallo, 18, and 19-year-old Anthony Elanga, who in the 13th minute marked his second senior appearance by heading in his first United goal.

Nelson Semedo equalised in the 39th minute before Juan Mata struck a penalty in first-half stoppage time as United, with the unbeaten away record, matched a feat only previously achieved in the English top-flight by Preston in 1888-89 and Arsenal in 2001-02 and 2003-04.

The closing stages of the contest saw three teenagers come off the United bench in Shola Shoretire and debutants Hannibal Mejbri and Will Fish.

When asked about the youngsters who had been involved, Solskjaer said: "You'd like to say you'd see some of these in the future, of course.

Hannibal Mejbri, left, and Shola Shoretire came on for youthful Manchester United side
Hannibal Mejbri, left, and Shola Shoretire came on for youthful Manchester United side (Rui Vieira/PA)

"I think it was a game in the spirit of Man United, Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Sir Matt (Busby) gave players a chance.

"It's a terrific achievement to get through a whole season with no defeats away from home and we knew by making these changes you might take a risk of losing that record. But they did everyone proud, fantastic performance."

He added: "That's my sense of satisfaction, seeing players going out there, expressing themselves, enjoying themselves.

Anthony Elanga scored the opener for Manchester United at Molineux
Anthony Elanga scored the opener for Manchester United at Molineux (Andy Rain/PA)

"It's never been about me. Anyone can write anything about me, as long as it's not lies, I don't mind, any opinion about me I don't really care about.

"My job is to do my best for Man United and I felt today it was a Man United-spirited performance, with loads of kids making their debuts, and Elanga scored his first goal. I was really proud of them.

"The future's bright for (Elanga) I think, and I know I can trust him to keep his feet on the ground and make the most of his talent."

Solskjaer also once again said he did not expect skipper Harry Maguire to feature in Wednesday's match in Gdansk, but did not rule him out.

Regarding the England defender, who has been sidelined by an ankle problem, Solskjaer said: "Of course he wants to play. It's going to be up to the doctor to say how he is, but I don't expect him to be ready.

"It doesn't look great, but ever the optimist, I'm still hopeful."

Wolves finished 13th on the day fans returned to their stadium and bade farewell to boss Nuno Espirito Santo, following the club's announcement on Friday that he would be leaving after the game.

A crowd of 4,500 Wolves fans were permitted to attend, and supporters made their appreciation for the Portuguese's four-year tenure clear as they chanted his name before, during and after the match.

Nuno – who guided the club to promotion, back-to-back seventh-placed Premier League finishes and a Europa League quarter-final – said: "It was emotional for all of us since we arrived at the stadium – the presence of the fans, the way they were together.

"It's a special day for all of us, a day of joy, looking back, seeing we had special moments together, very special moments that will stay forever in our memories. I'm very thankful to the fans."

Nuno Espirito Santo said goodbye to Wolves fans at Molineux
Nuno Espirito Santo said goodbye to Wolves fans at Molineux (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Wolves on Friday had said Nuno was leaving "by mutual agreement".

And when asked after the United game if it had been a mutual decision, he said: "We found a club that since day one have given us all the support, and there was not one decision that we didn't make together.

"There was always dialogue, there was always respect and this will stay forever."

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1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
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19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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