Since Ruben Amorim took over as manager last month, Manchester United, who dropped to 14th place, had only won twice in seven Premier League games.
In a 2-0 loss to lowly Wolves, captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off, dealing yet another blow to Manchester United’s dismal season. Early in the second half, Fernandes was sent off for a second bookable offence, earning him his third red card of the season. Under new manager Vitor Pereira, Wolves capitalised to win two straight games.
After opening the score with a goal straight from a corner, Matheus Cunha set up Hwang Hee-chan with what was essentially the final kick of the match. Even prior to Fernandes’ firing, United, who dropped to 14th place, had only won twice in seven Premier League games since Ruben Amorim took over last month.
Leicester lost at Liverpool, but Wolves’ victory was sufficient to pull them out of the relegation zone.
The Portuguese have been left in no doubt about the magnitude of the task Amorim confronts in trying to turn around a fallen titan, making the optimism that greeted his early days in command already seem like a faint memory.
Amorim made just two changes in response to Sunday’s 3-0 humiliation at home against Bournemouth.
Joshua Zirkzee was replaced up front by Rasmus Hojlund, while Leny Yoro entered the defence.
However, as Cunha demonstrated the worth of a forward in form, the Dane found it difficult to make any impression.
Following a 2-1 loss earlier this month that cost Gary O’Neil his job, Wolves’ top scorer is expected to be suspended due to an FA misconduct charge for an altercation with an Ipswich employee.
The Brazilian international has scored more goals in the Premier League this season than anybody else save Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, and Mohamed Salah.
In contrast, United’s talisman failed them.
Two minutes into the second half, Fernandes recklessly went in on Nelson Semedo, his Portuguese international teammate, as he was already on the verge of receiving a first-half booking.
Referee Tony Harrington’s use of a second yellow and a red caused little protests, even from the always combative Fernandes.
The 30-year-old was sent off in a 3-3 Europa League draw at Porto after his first red card of the season against Tottenham was overturned on appeal.
When Semedo squared for Jorgen Strand Larsen to tap in, Wolves nearly immediately turned the man advantage into a goal.
However, before hitting the cross, the Norwegian had veered offside.
Since Amorim took over for Erik ten Hag, United’s shortcomings from set pieces have been frequently revealed.
They gave up what turned out to be the game-winning goal from a corner or free kick for the sixth straight Premier League match.
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United custodian Andre Onana was wedged between two Wolves players when Cunha’s in-swinging delivery sailed in at the far post, and the Cameroonian’s cries for a foul were ignored.
United was able to push for an equaliser in the closing minutes because of Wolves’ uncertainty.
On yet another gloomy night for Amorim, however, the 10-man Red Devils came closest to redemption with a Harry Maguire header that fluttered into Jose Sa’s arms.
When he and Cunha were reduced to just Onana to beat between them, Hwang added salt to United’s wounds far into stoppage time.
Manchester United faced a tough defeat on Boxing Day, losing 2-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. The match was marked by a controversial red card for United captain Bruno Fernandes, who was sent off early in the second half for a second bookable offence.
The game started with both teams showing aggression and intent. United’s Manuel Ugarte was particularly tenacious in the opening half-hour, setting up several chances for his team. However, both sides struggled to convert these opportunities into goals.
The first half ended goalless, with Wolves creating the best opening when Jorgen Strand Larsen’s header forced United goalkeeper Andre Onana to tip over. United’s Diogo Dalot also had a curler that seemed destined for the top corner, but Onana made a classic save.
The second half took a dramatic turn just seconds in when Fernandes was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Nelson Semedo. This left United with 10 men and significantly altered the dynamics of the match.
Wolves capitalized on their numerical advantage almost immediately. Matheus Cunha scored the opening goal in the 58th minute from a corner kick that curled its way into Onana’s goal. United fought valiantly with their reduced numbers but couldn’t find an equalizer.
In the dying seconds of the match, Hwang Hee-chan clinched the victory for Wolves with a goal set up by Cunha. The final score was 2-0 in favor of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
This defeat sees Manchester United slip to 14th place in the Premier League table, having won just twice in their last seven games. Wolves, on the other hand, move out of the relegation zone with back-to-back wins under new manager Vitor Pereira.
The loss is a sobering reminder of the challenges United faces this season, and the team will need to regroup and improve their performance in the coming matches.
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