Manchester United vs Wolves Report

Scorer: Sarabia 77’

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured their Premier League status in style with a historic fifth consecutive top-flight win, overcoming Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to a stunning free-kick from Pablo Sarabia. The result condemned the Red Devils to their 15th league defeat of the campaign – the most in a single PL season in the club’s history – and completed Wolves’ first league double over United since the 1979/80 season.

Flat first half reflects Red Devils’ struggles

With Thursday’s emotionally exhausting extra-time win over Lyon still fresh in the legs, Ruben Amorim opted for five changes to his Manchester United lineup, including a full league debut for academy product Tyler Fredricson. That rotation, combined with the fact United are already guaranteed to finish with their lowest-ever Premier League points total, made for a laboured first half devoid of quality.

Christian Eriksen, widely expected to leave in the summer, offered a rare spark with a dipping free-kick that forced José Sá into a smart save just after the half-hour mark. Kobbie Mainoo also tested his luck with a curling strike, but his effort never looked likely to break the deadlock, drifting wide without troubling the Wolves goalkeeper.

Sarabia makes the difference

Frustrated by a lack of attacking urgency, Amorim turned to his bench just past the hour mark, introducing Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, and Diogo Dalot in a bid to find a breakthrough. But while the hosts showed brief flashes of improvement, it was Wolves who ultimately landed the decisive blow.

With just over 10 minutes left to play, substitute Pablo Sarabia stepped up to take a free-kick on the edge of the area and executed it perfectly – curling his shot over the wall and beyond a rooted André Onana.

The goal sparked wild celebrations from the travelling Wolves fans, as their side edged ever closer to a historic result.

Wolves seal safety, United woes deepen

There was still time for Mount to spurn two promising chances late on, but Wolves stood firm to earn a memorable win that not only guaranteed their Premier League safety, but also marked their first league double over Manchester United in more than four decades.

For the hosts, yet another defeat confirms a campaign to forget, as they now find themselves in 14th – level on points with Wolves – having set an unwanted club record for the most Premier League losses in a single season. With just a handful of fixtures remaining, United’s focus now shifts to salvaging pride in Europe, while Wolves can look ahead to building on an impressive finish under Vítor Pereira.

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Man Utd v Wolves, 2024/25 | Premier League