Wolves 0-5 Manchester United - Match Report
On a day where football was put into perspective by the tragic events of yesterdays tie between Tottenham and Bolton, Manchester United held back nothing as they thrashed Wolves 5-0. Fabrice Muamba was announced to be in critical condition after collapsing in yesterdays FA Cup, and this was honoured by both sets of players and supporters with a minutes applause prior to kick off. Two goals from Javier Hernandez and one apiece for Danny Welbeck, Antonio Valencia and Jonny Evans helped United to victory. Neither Manchester United or Wolves can be completely satisfied with their respective seasons so far. Naturally Sir Alex Ferguson can be happier his side are looking strong in the title challenge, but then they usually are there or thereabouts and now theyve crashed out of the Europa League, the poor mans Champions League (poor might be a bit of an overstatement) thanks to a convincing loss to Athletic Bilbao. There is no getting away from the fact that this is not the strongest of Manchester United sides in comparison to recent years, but with no distractions they can now focus on their league challenge. Terry Connors is already feeling the pressure of life as a Premier League manager. Ridiculous though it seems, there are already Wolves fans calling for his head, despite his having only taken charge of three games. But you cant afford to slip up too many times at this level as Connors is very quickly learning, and though this game against United was not expected to end in anything other than a loss, itll still mean three consecutive league losses for the Black Country side. The Red Devils certainly had the more attacking approach to the game looking at the starting line up. A straight 4-4-2 but with Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Antonio Valencia all starting. It looked like Fergie wasnt prepared to take any prisoners. Terry Connors went for a slightly more defensive 4-5-1. Even with five midfielders it was difficult to conceive of the home side dominating the midfield battle. Kevin Doyle was also starting in right midfield (a position I personally dont like to see him play) with Steven Fletcher leading the line alone. First thing you might call a shot from Danny Welbeck came just before the ten minute mark. Martin Tyler called it a daisy cutter but even the weakest of daisies would probably survive being attacked by such a pathetically weak shot. Rafael da Silva looked more promising however as he burst down the right and cut back a low cross that Hernandez couldnt quite connect with. Kevin Doyle got an effort on target for the home side. Easily scooped up by David de Gea United fans would be hoping for one of his good days in oppose to his horrifically awful ones. Thankfully for Red Devils fans however these seem to be becoming fewer and far between. A half-hearted penalty appeal from Wolves around 15 minutes in. They had a case though Matt Jarvis beat Rafael to the ball and was bundled over by the little Brazilian. Cue disheartened groans of how referees rarely give penalties against Sir Alexs men. The home side came close a few moments later Jarvis again involved, he curled in a deep cross from the far left and Steven Fletcher came so close to heading it beyond de Gea but he couldnt quite connect properly and his glancing header ended up just wide of the right post. GOAL: An unlikely scorer put Manchester United ahead in the 21st minute. Jonny Evans with what is unbelievably his first goal in a United shirt despite going up for pretty much every corner they get. Wayne Rooney took the corner, and played it deep to the far post where Michael Carrick was waiting to pass it back to Evans who connected with a well executed volley to blast it past Wayne Hennessey awful marking by the home side. Wayne Rooney was very much Ronald Zubar-ed just before the half hour mark. First yellow card of the game as the Wolves right back clattered Rooney with a very late challenge. This proved prophetic in the 39th minute as the defender decided to Zubar someone else. Danny Welbeck the victim this time. The United forward beat the right ball to the ball and was promptly brought to the ground as the Frenchman dived in with no real conceivable advantage other than winning a ball in an area that didnt really look like it was going to provide much of a threat. A goal down and a man down it didnt look like thered be any way back for Connors side. GOAL: United then hit on the counter attack. A sumptuous ball from Wayne Rooney released Valencia down the right who used his frightening pace to get him deep into the Wolves penalty area. A poor touch looked like it may have been costly, but Hennessey was slow off his line and the winger fired it into the top corner. Too easy for United. GOAL: Game over. Valencia involved again, he was found by Jonny Evans and proceeded to play in a low cross from the far fight to Danny Welbeck who showed terrific composure to calmly slot the ball past the stranded Hennessey nowhere near as easy as he made it look though. Boos rang out around Molineux as Anthony Taylor blew for half time. No way back for the team in gold, the home side started well but quickly crumbled after being reduced to ten men. They were now sitting right at the foot of the Premier League table. HALF TIMEGOAL: The onslaught inevitably continued after the break. Another corner a short one-two between Valencia and Carrick, it was then played to Rafael whose first time cross was swung deep into the six yard box where Javier Hernandez was there unmarked to nod it home. A shame for Wolves really, theyd started the second half brightly but the task ahead of them had long been far too steep. GOAL: Just an hour in and it was looking like Wolves attempts at damage limitation were going to fail spectacularly. A great all round goal from United. Valencia and Welbeck linking up again, first the Colombian had it, played it to Welbeck whose return flick was exquisite. Valencia then picked up possession again, lobbed it to the far post where Javier Hernandez was waiting to blast it into the roof of the net from close range. 5-0 and Wayne Rooney hadnt even got one yet, it was undoubtedly going to be a long day at the office for Terry Connors. A great double save from David de Gea to deny Wolves a consolation. The home side werent giving up to their credit. First Michael Kightly wiggled and swerved to find space within the United area before hitting a low bobbling shot on the turn that was well saved by the tips of the Spaniards fingertips. Steven Fletcher then came close, connecting with a Kightly cross to head goalwards but de Gea was there again to deny him and hold the ball superbly. United looked somewhat satisfied with a 5-0 and were now playing in a far more restrained manner. Wolves were still going, as were their fans who could admirably still be heard around the terraces. Fabio da Silva came close to adding a sixth, firing in a low shot from range that flew just wide. Richard Stearman was having a torrid time of it, he tried to force Danny Welbeck off the ball as the youngster ran through on goal, but instead tripped up allowing Welbeck through, luckily for Stearman however Wayne Hennessey was there to deny him with a great save. Its just like watching Bilbao sang the Wolves fans they really had been brilliant all game. Wolves could actually count themselves luck that United seemed to be content with their lead the home side looked incredibly frail at the back. So that was that, an expected victory but the difference between the two teams is not something you should see in any Premier Division match. 5-0 but it could have been far more. Then again, it could have been far closer were it not for the dismissal of Ronald Zubar as it was only 1-0 when he was given a red card. Referee: Anthony Taylor Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-5-1): Hennessey, Zubar, Stearman, Bassong, Ward, Doyle (Kightly, 57), Foley, Edwards, Davis (Jonsson, 43), Jarvis, Fletcher (Ebanks-Blake, 78) Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea, Rafael, Evans (Smalling, 75), Ferdinand, Evra (Fabio 63), Valencia, Carrick (Pogba, 57), Scholes, Welbeck, Hernandez, Rooney