Both sides made fleeting opportunities but neither managed a clear-cut one as it was a half marked by attacking frustrations and wrong decision-making sprinkled with some smart goalkeeping.
All of that combined to send the two teams goalless at half-time but with enough simmering to promise a better second 45.
It was a better start to the second half, but for Wolves, as United captain Bruno Fernandes got himself booked with a needless tackle to get his second yellow card.
VAR came to assist United immediately after as they had conceded in typical fragile fashion but things didn’t look too good for an undermanned United.
The goal that looked only a matter of time away did come eventually and how else but from another set-piece, as Onana was boxed in and beaten straight from a corner again.
Amorim’s substitutes did inject some life into the game and United handled themselves well despite being at a numerical disadvantage.
Here’s how the players rated:
Andre Onana – 3
Beaten straight from a corner kick twice in a week. Just not commanding enough on set pieces and that nervousness transfers to the team.
Leny Yoro – 6
Made things difficult for himself by being booked early but tackled that challenge well for the rest of his game.
Harry Maguire – 7
Genuinely rivaling De Ligt for the central centre-back with another smart display. Assertive in defence, searching in possession.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
A quiet return to some form as he tackled with aggression and looked confident on the ball.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Almost had an assist in the first minute after United’s smart opening but his teammates were sloppy. Could have been better going forward from then on.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Had Sa stretching to make a great save from his curler from outside the box in the first half. Nothing notable outside of that moment.
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Probably the most dependable player on the team right now with another combative display in midfield. Will miss the Newcastle fixture after getting booked.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Struggled to find his teammates as Wolves pressed last year’s matchwinner hard. His job only became harder after Fernandes’ sending off. Subbed off at the hour-mark.
Amad – 5
The reality of being a marked man finally hit him in this game as Wolves double or triple-teamed him whenever he was on the ball. Very peripheral.
Bruno Fernandes – 2
Couldn’t create much outside of a layoff for Dalot’s curler as Wolves closed spaces between the lines. Made his team’s job impossible by getting a silly second yellow in the second half.
Rasmus Hojlund – 3
When the rest of the team is not clicking, he looks much worse too because his hold-up play is still developing. Wolves defenders didn’t break a sweat dealing with him.
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