Bruno Fernandes’s third red card of the season compounded Manchester United’s woes as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, a result that plunged them to 14th in the Premier League table and extended their losing streak to three games across all competitions. Wolves, meanwhile, celebrated a vital victory that lifted them out of the relegation zone, breathing new life into their survival hopes. The game saw a dominant performance from Matheus Cunha, who orchestrated the Wolves attack, culminating in a goal and an assist.
The first half remained goalless despite chances at both ends. Diogo Dalot forced a spectacular save from Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa, while Andre Onana, United’s keeper, matched the feat by tipping over a powerful header from Jorgen Strand Larsen. The match turned decisively in Wolves’ favour shortly after the restart when Fernandes received his marching orders for a foul on Nelson Semedo, accumulating his second yellow card. Wolves almost capitalized immediately, but Strand Larsen’s headed goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
The deadlock finally broke in the 58th minute. Matheus Cunha, a constant menace to the United defence throughout the match, delivered a stunning corner kick that curled directly into the net, leaving Onana rooted to the spot in disbelief. The goal energized the home side, and despite a late push from United, including a Harry Maguire header that was comfortably saved by Sa, Wolves sealed the victory deep into stoppage time.
A swift counter-attack saw Cunha play a perfectly weighted pass to Hwang Hee-chan, who coolly slotted the ball past Onana to secure the three points for Wolves. The result underlines the growing pressure on United manager Ruben Amorim, whose side has managed just one win in their last five league games. The absence of Marcus Rashford for a fourth consecutive match further fueled speculation about his future at the club. The post-match silence between Amorim and Fernandes following the red card hinted at potential friction within the United camp.
Matheus Cunha’s performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade. Beyond his goal and assist, Cunha consistently troubled the United defence, drawing the first yellow card from Fernandes in the first half. His movement, creativity, and ability to find space were instrumental in Wolves’ victory. His overall display was a stark contrast to the disjointed performance of the Manchester United squad.
The contrast in fortunes between the two teams was evident. Wolves played with energy, purpose, and a clear game plan, while United appeared dispirited and lacked cohesion. The sending off of Fernandes undoubtedly hampered their chances, but their struggles predate this game, highlighting deeper issues within the squad. The victory for Wolves provides a much-needed boost in their fight against relegation, while United are left to contemplate their declining form and the increasing pressure on their manager. The international break provides Amorim with an opportunity to regroup and address the issues plaguing his team, but the road ahead looks challenging for the Red Devils.
