Manchester United vs Wolves Preview
- Draw or Wolves win
- Over 2.5 goals
United’s European chaos leaves lingering questions
Dramatic comebacks are ingrained in Manchester United’s storied history, yet even by their lofty standards, Thursday night’s 6-4 aggregate triumph over Lyon in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals was something truly extraordinary. Trailing 4-2 in extra-time, United somehow found two goals in stoppage time – both after the 120th minute – to become the first side in major European competition history to net twice that late and still go through.
How Manchester United respond to such a draining affair – emotionally and physically – will be key heading into this league clash against Wolves. Ruben Amorim may need to rotate his side heavily, particularly with a European semi-final on the horizon and their domestic campaign effectively in tatters. Guaranteed to register their lowest-ever Premier League points total, United must now salvage pride and momentum from a season that has mostly disappointed.
Old Trafford still holds H2H supremacy
Despite United’s overall struggles, their record in this fixture will offer some comfort. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League H2Hs at Old Trafford (W9, D3), and they’ll be hopeful of preserving that run. That said, they’ve conceded first in ten of their last 13 home games – a habit they’ll need to kick if they are to hold off an in-form Wolves side.
Wolves on the rise under Pereira
The visitors arrive in Manchester as one of the division’s in-form teams. Vítor Pereira’s men have won four Premier League matches in a row – their best run at this level since January 1972 – and with it, pulled themselves within touching distance of United, having trailed them by 13 points when Pereira was appointed.
That momentum could well carry them to a historic feat: completing a first top-flight H2H double over Manchester United since the 1979/80 season, after they triumphed 2-0 in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day. A win here would also mathematically confirm their Premier League survival, provided Ipswich lose to Arsenal later in the weekend.
Road warriors
Wolves’ away form has been key to their resurgence. They’ve collected 18 of their 35 Premier League points on their travels – a rare achievement for a mid-table side – and come into this fixture off the back of three consecutive away league victories, all secured by a single-goal margin. Efficiency and discipline on the road have become hallmarks of Pereira’s Wolves, and those traits will be vital if they are to spring another upset here.
Players to watch
Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
The teenage midfielder continues to deliver in the biggest moments.
His 120th-minute equaliser against Lyon wasn’t his first clutch goal this season, having also netted the dramatic 97th-minute winner in February’s 4-3 victory over Wolves. He could again be key in midfield for a rotated United side.
Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
Back from injury, Cunha wasted no time getting back among the goals with his 14th Premier League strike of the season.
One more would see him become just the third Brazilian to hit 15 goals in a single top-flight campaign, joining Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino in elite company.
Hot stat
Manchester United have won all four of their previous Premier League home games played on Easter Sunday.
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Man Utd v Wolves, 2024/25 | Premier League