Through the Molineux fog and the gloom of a dismal first half of the season, Manchester United staggered on last night. The biggest club in English football finds itself in 14th place in the Premier League table, just four spots above the relegation zone.
This is a remarkable situation for a team assembled at great expense under Erik ten Hag, now seemingly regressing under his successor, Ruben Amorim.
United’s new head coach has now lost three consecutive games and four of his last five in the league. He is the first United manager since Walter Crickmer in January 1932 to lose five of his first ten matches in charge.
Crickmer was dismissed later that season, and while it seems absurd to even consider Amorim’s future at this point, Joao Pereira, his replacement at Sporting Lisbon, was let go on Christmas Day after just six weeks in charge, highlighting the ruthless nature of football.
United wouldn’t be so shortsighted, of course, but what will concern Amorim most is the lack of creativity displayed in their loss to a revitalized Wolves. Just four days after failing to capitalize in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, Amorim’s side didn’t create a single notable chance here.
Ruben Amorim’s team faced a third consecutive defeat after losing 2-0 to Wolves.
Hwang Hee-chan sealed a memorable result for the hosts in the 99th minute, making it 2-0.
United also continued to highlight their defensive weaknesses, conceding their 18th goal from a set-piece this calendar year, a rather dubious club record.
The goal was scored by the game’s standout player, Matheus Cunha, who demonstrated the kind of flair and freedom that United currently lacks.
Cunha’s second-half corner went straight in over goalkeeper Andre Onana before he compounded United’s misery by assisting a late second for substitute Hee Chan Hwang.
The Brazilian has now been involved in 11 goals in his last ten league matches, scoring seven and providing four assists.
This performance lifted Wolves out of the relegation zone in Vitor Pereira’s first home match in charge and gave the new Portuguese boss back-to-back wins.
That’s the kind of bounce United were hoping for from Amorim, but any momentum he built has already fizzled out.
They had to navigate much of the second half without captain Bruno Fernandes, who was sent off for the third time this season. Fernandes had already seen red against Tottenham and FC Porto—though the Spurs dismissal was eventually rescinded—and was dismissed again after receiving a second booking for a late tackle on Nelson Semedo.
Fernandes should have known better when he overran the ball and stretched to regain possession in the 47th minute, catching Semedo halfway up the shin.
Man United goalkeeper Onana was beaten far too easily for the first goal on a night to forget, while captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off shortly after halftime.