Manchester United travel to Molineux this evening to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first Monday night game of the 2019-20 Premier League season.
We will be looking to join Liverpool and Arsenal as the only sides on six points after the first two games.
Nuno’s side will be standing in our way after an impressive campaign last term that saw the West Midlands club qualify for Europa League football.
Here is the Wolves side I think we could be facing this evening:
Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio
The Portuguese goalkeeper had a solid debut season in England and doesn’t have much competition for his spot as a result. Rui Patricio kept a clean sheet in Wolves’ opening game of the new season with a 0-0 draw at Leicester City last weekend.
Defence: Ryan Bennett, Conor Coady, Willy Boly
Leicester were restricted to just one shot on target by the Wolves back three at the King Power Stadium last weekend. The trio of Ryan Bennett, Conor Coady and Willy Boly were solid for the club last season in the top half finish too. Sole striker Marcus Rashford may find it difficult to find space in the penalty area against these guys but hopefully the pace of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard cutting in from the wing will help unlock the home side’s defence.
Midfield: Matt Doherty, Leander Dendoncker, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Jonny
Matt Doherty and Spanish international Jonny play the wingback roles in a 3-5-2 formation that becomes a 5-3-2 when out of possession. Doherty scored four goals and assisted five more in his 38 Premier League appearances (35 starts) last campaign, whilst Jonny wasn’t putting in as many crosses from the left. Luke Shaw has proven to be an excellent defender and his task will be to prevent Doherty from causing any problems down our left side, whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka had an excellent debut in our 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea last Sunday. Leander Dendoncker had a goal ruled out by VAR last weekend and it was the Belgian international that scored Anderlecht’s late equaliser against us in our Europa League quarter-final tie in 2017. He is expected to be partnered in the middle of the park by Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves who love to maintain possession for their side and start attacks.
Attack: Raul Jimenez, Diogo Jota
Raul Jimenez was one of the stars of last season, with 13 goals and seven assists. The Mexican does face competition from big summer signing Patrick Cutrone but I wouldn’t expect the Mexican to be benched anytime soon. Cutrone would more likely form a partnership with Jimenez in the long run, but Nuno went with last season’s strike partner, Diogo Jota, in their opening game. Jota came good towards the end of last season, finishing the campaign with nine goals. Our new look defence that includes Harry Maguire can expect a busier test than what Chelsea game us at Old Trafford.
Here’s how Wolves look on paper:
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