Connect with us

Manchester United

Manchester United 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Three talking points as the Red Devils move closer to Champions League football

Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers by 2-0 to boost their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season. 

Erik ten Hag made three changes to the side which lost 1-0 against West Ham last weekend. 

Raphael Varane returned to the team after missing the previous seven games. Marcus Rashford was omitted due to a leg injury.

Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho were in the starting XI, with Wout Weghorst and Tyrell Malacia dropping to the bench.

Martial finished a fine team move to give United the breakthrough in the first half.

The visitors grew into the game after the break but could not test David de Gea.

Alejandro Garnacho calmed the nerves of the Old Trafford crowd by doubling United’s lead in injury time.

Here are our three talking points from the game.

Antony needs to improve his decision-making

The 23-year-old squandered an early chance as he did against West Ham. He should have passed the ball to Martial but fired his shot wide instead.

The Brazil international did not disappoint the second time when he created a simple tap-in opportunity for Martial at the half-hour mark.

Before the opening goal, he missed a sitter from six yards when Luke Shaw floated in a delicious cross at the far post.

Just on the stroke of half-time, he made a stunning run to leave three Wolves’ players behind. 

He should have picked out Sancho but made a poor call by drifting inside too much and delaying the pass.

Garnacho’s timely return is great news for Man United

The Old Trafford crowd welcomed the 18-year-old with a massive cheer in the 82nd minute.

Just when the tension was palpable in the Theatre of Dreams, Garnacho used his burst of speed to catch Wolves on the break.

He collected a fine pass from Bruno Fernandes and drove towards the Wolves’ goalkeeper.

With the angle slightly tight to shoot, he slowed down and picked his spot well to finish with aplomb.

With Garnacho back, Ten Hag has a lethal weapon in his arsenal as United are still fighting for the top four and FA Cup glory.

Man United just two victories away from the Champions League

The race for the top four places is heating up. Man United, Newcastle United and Liverpool are battling for the last two spots. 

The Magpies were only able to collect a point against Leeds United earlier today.

Victory over Wolves takes the Red Devils level on points with Eddie Howe’s side. However, their poor goal difference means they are fourth. 

Ten Hag’s men need six more points from the remaining three games to secure Champions League football, irrespective of the results Liverpool record.