Varane scores. Photo: Manchester United Newsletter
Manchester United 1-0 Wolves
Defender Raphael Varane saved the day for Manchester United on the Monday night Premier League match with Wolves.
In the game at Old Trafford, where Manchester United forward players failed to find their rythem, Varane and other defenders excelled.
The 75th match-winner and also the club’s first goal of the 2023/24 season, was Varane’s first Premier League goal for Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag, the club’s manager, has expressed displeasure on the performance of his attackers in the match.
Also read: Harry Maguire: How world’s most expensive defender lost his way at Manchester United
He told Manchester United Newsletter: “I think we could have scored five or six turnovers and there were overloads; but I think the frontline was not in the best form today and we could have made more out of it from the overload situations.
“Last week, we scored some incredible goals. This week, it’s the form of the day and we didn’t, but it will come.
“We have to move with the ball and be compact. Once we are compact, we have to be aggressive and fight in the duels. Today, we lost some fights and the counter-attacks you allow.
“But luckily we were defending the counter-attacks well and in Andre Onana we had some very good saves.”
Ten Hag gave an unconvincing and succinct summary of debutant Mount’s performance: “He did his job, it was a moderate game, he did well.”
Manchester United player ratings for the match:
Andre Onana
Often passed with precision and he made some important stops at 0-0 and 1-0. An assured debut. Lucky not to concede a penalty. 7
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
A good performer, he created United’s standout chance of the first half and then assisted Raphael Varane’s header. 7
Raphael Varane
Often drawn out of position by Wolves’ intense breakaways but never truly caught out. Ventured forward and got the goal. 7
Lisandro Martinez
Deservedly booked for a late lunge in the 17th minute, which was deemed enough of a risk for him not to re-emerge for the second half. 5
Luke Shaw
Rightly booked for a late foul from Alejandro Garnacho’s hospital pass, he struggled to develop any interplay with Garnacho. Big block in the 90th minute. 6
Casemiro
The best of the front six in the first half, his probing passes often broke the lines and he was in the right place at the right time in his own third. 6
Mason Mount
Needed to hit the ground running and he hit one of his first corners out of play. His only impressive impacts were without the ball. 4
Antony
The wrong man at the right time, he repeatedly played the wrong pass and somehow stayed on until United scored. 4
Bruno Fernandes
Strangely quiet when in such a prominent role for the first half. Had more of it in the second but often got it wrong. 4
Alejandro Garnacho
One of his poorest performances for the first time. Erratic for most of the evening and constantly made the wrong decision. 4
Marcus Rashford
Rashford knows it and United fans have known it for years: he is not a striker. This was additional evidence. 4
Subs
Victor Lindelof
Sloppy. 5
Christian Eriksen
Brought some calm to proceedings. 6
Jadon Sancho
Brighter than any of the attacking starters. 6
Facundo Pellistri
Ran about. 5
Scott McTominay
Late cameo and good block. 6
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