It’s the same United, just without Solskjaer. Again, the Red Devils played badly and again, they lost at Old Trafford. The only difference was the opponent (Wolverhampton) and the coach (Ralf Rangnick). After six games at the helm, the German tactician has a record of 3 wins, two draws and a loss. United wasn’t effective as everyone was hoping when Rangnick took over, they were even inferior in some games, but managed to win, but this time, the punishment came from one of the toughest teams in the Premier League: Manchester – Wolves 0:1.4 – Manchester United have failed to score in four different Premier League home games this season, already more than they did in the whole of 2020-21 (3). Misfiring. #MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/Sa1mgs8zso— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2022 Wolves have never won at Old Trafford in the Premier League. In fact, their last win was recorded back in 1980, 42 years ago! But tonight, they broke the negative record and deservedly so, because they stopped United’s attacks and were firm at the back (conceived only 14 goals so far), while looking for their chances in the final third against shaky Manchester defense. So far, Rangnick has not managed to lift this group of players, and they keep playing pale and unwillingness, just like under Ole. If any United’s fans felt excitement when the game started, they soon gave up. After only 15 minutes, United’s statistics were painful – one shot, one touch in the opposition box and nothing on target. Others were thinking that it’s only the beginning, but Wolves are a good defensive team and they proved it after first 45 minutes – Ronaldo was the only United player who managed a single shot on target. Between all of the United team, there’s been only eight touches in the Wolves box. The guests however had 15 shots in total, five of which ended up being on target and De Hea was again the busiest player on the field. 15 – Wolves had 15 shots against Man Utd in the first half – it’s the most on record (since 2003-04) a visiting team has had at Old Trafford in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League game. Knocking. #MUNWOL— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 3, 2022 United continued to be lifeless in the second half, until Bruno Fernandes came in and created a chance for Ronaldo (the Portuguese scored, but was offside) and had a beautiful chance for himself, but the ball smashed the bar. After that brief period between 60th and 68th minute, Wolves took over the game again, and after Saiss shot the bar after the free kick, Moutinho scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute. The ball came to the Portuguese who was uncovered and had all the time in the world to take a beautiful shot form the edge of the penalty area and finally gave his team a 40 years long victory at Old Trafford. United had another chance to avoid defeat thou, but Sa was there to stop Fernandes’ free kick in injury time.
