WOLVES 1, MAN UNITED 1
Manchester United were far from spot on as they were held to a draw at Wolves.
Paul Pogba’s penalty miss proved costly as he assumed responsibility from Marcus Rashford who was successful from 12 yards last weekend.
The dilemma as to who takes penalties puzzled onlookers as the Reds will view it as two lost points as they surrendered their 100 per cent record in the Premier League at Molineux where last season they lost twice.
This time they would have triumphed but for Pogba’s fourth Premier League penalty miss since the start of last season.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cleared up the mystery as to why Pogba took the penalty.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe said: “We have two designated penalty shooters and it is up to them who decides and who is confident to take them.
“Sometimes in the game you grow in confidence and sometimes you have a bad day. I have no problem with people walking up and saying it is my day.
“The two of them are confident penalty takers and I have been in that position mossing a penalty for Norway.
“Paul has scored many penalties and (Rui) Patricio made a good save.”
United held a 1-0 interval lead through Anthony Martial’s spectacular shot only for Ruben Neves to equalise with an equally stunning strike early in the second half.
But it was Pogba’s penalty miss that proved decisive as United, who had two thirds of possession and more goal attempts, ought to have come away victors.
Solskjaer was pleased with the progress his young team is making believing they could have won the game.
He described the first-half showing as “mature” though the second was “sloppy” as Wolves clawed their way back into the game.
“We are a young team and will learn on the pitch. They want to learn,” he said.
Summer signing Daniel James was handed a full debut by the Reds as he replaced Andreas Pereira, the one change from the team that beat Chelsea 4-0 on the opening day of the season.
Wolves were unchanged from the side that secured a goalless draw at Leicester in their opening league match.
It was an error-strewn opening as neither side was able to impose its authority.
Then out of nothing came Martial’s 27th minute opening which followed a rare moment of magic with an exquisite build up.
It involved Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard and Rashford who slipped a neat ball to Martial who lashed it into the roof of the net, a ruthless finish from close range.
United might have added a second goal in stoppage side after Martial seized on an errant back pass but stumbled as he eluded a challenge by Willy Boly as goalkeeper Patricio managed to dive on the loose ball.
And despite it being a disjointed opening period, United dominated possession wide 69 per cent compared to the hosts’ 31.
Wolves made a change at the restart bringing on winger Adama Traore for defender Matt Doherty as they switched from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2.
And he more adventurous approach was rewarded with a 55th minute equaliser that came moments after Raul Jimenez had struck the upright with a header as the ball was scrambled away for a corner from which the goal came from.
A well-rehearsed and executed short corner saw the ball played out to Neves who from 22 yards found the net with a screamer which went in off the crossbar.
It was referred to VAR and, after a lengthy wait, the match officials at Stockley Park ruled it should stand.
United wasted a glorious chance to regain the lead mid-half when Pogba had a penalty saved by Patricio after Pogba had been tripped by Conor Coady.
While Rashford scored from the spot against Chelsea last weekend, this time Pogba assumed responsibility and failed to convert.
United made three changes in pursuit of an equaliser as they introduced Juan Mata, Pereira and Mason Greenwood, but to no avail as they had to settle for a point when it ought to have been three.