MAN UNITED 0, WOLVES 0
Bruno Fernandes’ bright Manchester United debut was about the only bright spot in a dour goalless draw against Wolves at Old Trafford.
The £46million Portuguese signing was not afraid of going for goal, something some of his team-mates seemed afraid to do.
It was a disappointing game which promised much but ultimately failed to deliver in what was described by the BBC as a “dull stalemate”.
The draw leaves United in sixth place and six points behind Chelsea who occupy the fourth and final Champions League place.
And with Chelsea held at Leicester, it was a lost opportunity for United to reduce the deficit on Chelsea to four points.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “We have played them three times in three weeks and they haven’t scored yet. They are hard to break down, but so are we.
“We had 65 per cent possession but did not create many big chances and lacked that spark which is down to being at the end of a relentless run of 18 games in two months.
“The effort, attitude and character was there but knowing them and them knowing us it was never going to be an open game.
“I don’t think it a matter of confidence as we won 6-0 at Tranmere in the FA Cup and won at City so had two games while Wolves had 10 days’ rest to prepare.
“Our resources are stretched and we are down to bare bones, but still had 65 per cent possession. And we will use the break to get our energy levels back.”
Of his new signing, Solskjaer said: “Bruno Fernandes will become a top footballer. Give him time and he will become a very good addition for us. We dropped him deeper to get him on the ball and I thought he and Fred did very well.
“His demeanour, smile, everything about him is a boost for everyone. He is a genuine lad, a top professional and he is a winner. Today we saw glimpses of his character and we will see more and more.”
Solskjaer also spoke of his other transfer window signing, former Watford striker Odion Ighalo who has returned from a spell in China.
“Odion Ighalo is on his way. We will give him time to settle. He is a striker, has a physical presence and is a goalscorer so he will give us a lot.
“You would be thrilled (with the move) when you have been a Manchester United supporter your whole life and you’ve been working your whole life. Being the top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations tells you a lot about the qualities we are going to get.”
The Reds handed a debut to Fernandes, who was afforded Paul Scholes’ number 18 shirt, and it must have seemed home from home as he embraced Wolves’ Portuguese players in the tunnel before the start.
There were also starts for Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira and Daniel James.
The players to lose out were Jesse Lingard, Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood and the suspended Nemanja Matic.
There was a poignant moment pre-match when the Reds remembered those who perished in the Munich air disaster as this was the match nearest to the 62nd anniversary on February 6.
Fernandes was involved from the start showing neat touches and his arrival had also clearly lifted the home fans who were in a buoyant mood and re-energised by his capture.
United had to wait until the 17th minute before carving out their first chance, a drive by Pereira from outside the box which flashed narrowly wide of the upright.
Wolves’ best early opening was a Matt Doherty header from a corner which was looping in until David De Gea punched it clear.
Fernandes had his first goal attempt for the Reds but his 30-yard drive flew wide as did an effort from Wolves’ Adama Traore.
New boy Fernandes forced a save from Rui Patricio five minutes before the break but his fierce drive from 20 yards went straight to the keeper.
Fernandes went close again early in the second half with a free kick which forced Patricio in to a save.
There was applause in the 58th minute to mark the anniversary of Munich which happened in 1958.
Mata fired a couple of feet wide as United enjoyed their most productive spell of the match.
Fernandes wasn’t afraid of going for goal and a drive from 30 yards was fumbled by Patricio and squirmed from his grasp and trickled for a corner.
Wolves’ Raul Jimenez forced a decent save from De Gea after breaking into the box.
United’s first change with 18 minutes saw Pereira replaced by Greenwood.
Greenwood almost immediately made an impact with a shot from distance that deflected off both Willy Boly and Conor Coady but Patricio, diving in the opposite direction, somehow managed to keep out the effort.
Solskjaer made his last two changes with two minutes remaining when Mata and James were replaced by Lingard and Diogo Dalot.
And in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Dalot was agonisingly close to being the Reds’ matchwinner when his header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross flashed just wide.