Manchester United kicked off their 2023-24 Premier League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers this evening.
Raphael Varane scored the only goal of the game in the 76th minute to hand three points to the Red Devils.
Wolves were arguably the better side, having attempted 23 shots to United’s 15.
Erik ten Hag’s men were pegged back to their own half for the last 10 minutes as they held to their slim lead.
Here is how United players fared in the game.
Andre Onana – 8/10
United’s new face between the sticks was forced to earn his clean sheet.
He made six fine saves and came off his line to catch crosses rather than punching them out. He was lucky not to give away a penalty in the injury time.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8/10
Despite all the creative players on the pitch, Wan-Bissaka proved to be the best-attacking outlet for United. He misplaced only four of his 44 passes and earned a fine assist.
Raphael Varane – 7/10
An unlikely match-winner. The Frenchman was vocal at the back and netted the breakthrough goal for his side. Injury-free Varane is a blessing for Ten Hag.
Lisandro Martinez – 5/10
The Argentina international was rightly branded a yellow card for a poor sliding challenge on Pedro Neto. Ten Hag saw him walking on a tightrope and pulled him off at half-time.
Luke Shaw – 6/10
Shaw drifted too centrally at the start of the game and was out of ideas at times going forward.
Made a terrific block to deny Fabio Silva in the 90th minute.
Casemiro – 5/10
Man United had no control in the midfield, with Casemiro struggling to deal with the pace and directness of Wolves’ attack.
The former Real Madrid star was dribbled past four times and won only three of his 15 duels.
Mason Mount – 4/10
Provided additional energy at the centre of the park but failed to make a difference with the ball.
Ten Hag will want more from his summer signing. If pressing up the pitch was the only reason he was signed, Jesse Lingard would not have been a bad option.
Bruno Fernandes – 5/10
United’s full-time captain struggled to knit passes and inject the creativity he is known for. Played a delicate lob pass to Wan-Bissaka to create Varane’s goal.
Antony – 5/10
The Brazil international is still making poor decisions in the final third as he did last season. He gave the ball away twice, and Wolves nearly scored on each occasion.
Marcus Rashford – 6/10
The 25-year-old was left isolated in attack. He was fed with little service and enjoyed his best moments when he drifted to the left.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5/10
A frustrating outing for the youngster. He saw plenty of the ball down the left flank but was successfully pocketed by Nelson Semedo.
Substitutes
Victor Lindelof – 6/10
Filled in for Martinez and defended solidly. His substitution ahead of Harry Maguire proves that the England international has no future at United.
Jadon Sancho – 6/10
Provided the control and sharpness at the flank, which was missing when Garnacho was playing.
Facundo Pellistri – N/A
Too late to rate. Came in for Antony around the 80th mark and was forced to do more defensive duty than he would have preferred.
Scott McTominay – N/A
Too late to rate.
