MAN UNITED 2, WOLVES 0
Manchester United eased their Premier League top-four jitters with a huge home win against Wolves.
After picking up only four points from a possible 12, including back-to-back defeat at Brighton and West Ham, the Reds’ grip on a Champions League spot had begun to loosen.
Before kick-off, fourth-placed United found themselves only one point clear of Liverpool who had suddenly struck a rich vein of form.
Goals from Anthony Martial and substitute Alejandro Garnacho, the latter was the club’s 100th of the season in all competitions,eased the nerves as United re-established a four-point lead over Liverpool with both teams now with three matches remaining.
And with third-placed Newcastle held at Leeds, Erik ten Hag’s side is now level with Eddie Howe’s team but with a hugely inferior goal difference.
While it took until injury time before Garnacho sealed victory, the Reds were never on doubt.
Had it not been a fine debut display from goalkeeper Dan Bentley, United would have won by a wider margin as he pulled off four fabulous saves.
Indeed, United mustered 27 goal attempts to nine from Wolves who did not register one on target.
It was also United’s 25th home win of the season in all competitions, something they have only achieved three previous teams in the Premier League era.
Embed from Getty ImagesTen Hag said: “Every game is important, we need to win every game.
“We had to bounce back after big defeats. We had no energy and played slow (in those games). Today we had to win, and we did it.
“We are very good at making the opponents’ goalkeeper man of the match. We have to be more clinical. We have to work on better conversion as had we score our second goal earlier it would have closed the game.”
There was praise for Garnacho on his return from injury with ten Hag pointing out he has made an impact in games coming off the bench.
“He scored the winner against Fulham, an assist against City and the second goal today. The next challenge is to hold down a regular first team starting place,” he said.
United captain Bruno Fernandes added: “We did our job. We needed to get the three points and win the game. After two defeats, we knew how important it was to get the momentum back to our side.
“We did a professional game and could have scored more. Their keeper had a really good game to keep Wolves in the game.
“It wasn’t a case of wasting our chances. Their keeper did a really good job. We have to compliment him.”
Marcus Rashford missed out through injury, a blow for United’s hopes of getting a win to strengthen their place in the top four as Martial was recalled while Jadon Sancho also started, having been on the bench in the 1-0 loss to West Ham last time out.
Positive news for Manchester United was that Raphael Varane was back in the starting line-up after a month out with an ankle issue.
There was one change for Wolves who are assured of another season in the Premier League.
Bentley made his debut for the club as the former Bristol City goalkeeper started ahead of Jose Sa who was on the bench.
Antony had the first clear-cut chance of the game in the ninth minute.
The Brazilian intercepted a stray pass and burst clear only to fire just past the upright from the edge of the box.
Bruno Fernandes tried to catch out Bentley with a quickly taken free kick which the keeper caught under the bar.
Christian Eriksen saw a shot flash narrowly wide, and Antony headed over when free at the far post to meet Luke Shaw’s cross as United ramped up the pressure in their bid to make a breakthrough.
It finally came in the 32nd minute as Martial rounded off a fine attacking move.
Fernandes released Antony on the right and he cut the ball back for Martial to fire home into an empty net for his eighth of the season in all competitions and only his second league goal of 2023.
There was almost a second goal for the Reds as Bentley was forced to tip over a header from Matheus Cunha, one of his own players, who misdirected a defensive header from Eriksen’s corner.
Wolves brought on South Korean striker Hee Chan Hwang at the restart and they were far more adventurous than in the opening period when they had only one goal attempt to United’s 16.
Antony had a great chance to double the lead when his effort as deflected into the side netting and Fernandes then cut in from the left only to see his shot blocked by Bentley.
United’s first change with 21 minutes left saw Martial made way for Wout Weghorst.
Sancho would have found the net for a second tome but for a fabulous save by Bentley to turn his shot around the post for a corner.
There were three further Reds’ changes with nine minutes left as Eriksen, Varane and Sancho were replaced by Fred, Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho.
Casemiro forced another super save from Bentley who turned his goalbound shot around the post for a corner.
As the game entered six minutes of stoppage time, Bentley pulled off another important save low to his left to turn away a shot from Antony.
United finally made the game safe in the 94th minute following a counterattack as Fernandes released Garnacho who sprinted through the middle and saw his low shot finally go in off both posts.