Manchester United eventually ran out 4-3 winners at Molineux with special credit owed to Kobbie Mainoo, the 18-year-old star boy who has burst onto the scene this season.
Mainoo scored his first professional goal for the club during United's win over Newport County in the FA Cup at the weekend and continued to make waves by scoring his first Premier League goal, and it came spectacularly. Despite initially appearing to let the match slip away, after twice leading by two goals, Mainoo came to the rescue with a sensational solo run during the seventh minute of added time, before curling past Jose Sa at the far post.
Pedro Neto thought he had stolen a point for Wolves as Gary O'Neil's side hit United with a perfect counter-attack, but United never give in and it's yet another comeback to add to their famous collection.
United had originally stormed to a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund. Having scored five goals in the Champions League group stages earlier in the season, it took Hojlund 15 league games to strike. Following that debut league goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day, he has since gone on to score in three successive top-flight matches. The 20-year-old's goal was a typical poacher's finish.
Wolves vs Man United final score Second half Scorers Wolves 3 Sarabia 71', Kilman 85', Neto 90+5' Man United 4Rashford 5', Hojlund 23'
McTominay 75', Mainoo 90+7'
After a brief period of Wolves dominance in the second half, they were rewarded for their efforts and earned a penalty, albeit a soft one. Pablo Sarabia stepped up after Casemiro brought down Neto and the substitute dispatched past Andre Onana.
But just two minutes later, Scott McTominay restored United's two-goal lead with a header from a Bruno Fernandes corner. It was the Scostman's seventh goal in all competitions this season, equalling his best-ever tally in a season for United.
Max Kilman then poked past Onana as United struggled yet again to defend from a corner and with nine minutes added on, it was suddenly game on. Although they were trying to defend their lead, United committed far too many players as they won a corner in injury time and they were made to pay. Antony lost the ball and Wolves hit them at pace before Neto found the back of the net.
At times this season, United players' heads have dropped when suffering a setback but not on this occasion. Mainoo's magic inspired them to collect the three points and make a perfect start to United's favourite month of football in recent years. They are without a league defeat in February since 2018 and have now gone unbeaten in 23 league games in the month.
Erik ten Hag's faith in Marcus Rashford pays off"Case closed." Those were the repeated words of Ten Hag when interrogated by the press this week following the widespread coverage of Rashford's controversial night out in Belfast.
Taking Ten Hag's statement literally, Rashford swiftly silenced the lingering controversy as he combined well with Hojlund to secure a lead for United just five minutes into the game.
Rashford notched his fifth goal of the season, and that subpar tally amplified the criticism surrounding his actions during that night across the Irish Sea. Nonetheless, both he and the club will share optimism that his goal will finally lay the story to rest.
The Englishman has now scored or contributed an assist in each of his last five games for United across all competitions (3 goals, 2 assists). Notably, his improved form aligns with Luke Shaw's return to the starting lineup after a prolonged injury absence, and the pair on the left flank caused Wolves all sorts of problems throughout the game.
MORE: What happened with Marcus Rashford?
Wolves vs Man United live score updates, highlights from Premier LeagueLineups:
Wolves (3-4-3) - Jose Sa (GK) — Toti, Dawson, Kilman — Doherty, Doyle, Lemina, Semedo — Cunha, Neto, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
Man United (4-3-3) - Onana (GK) — Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Shaw — Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes — Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho.
...and breathe ????#MUFC || #WOLMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2024FT: WHAT. A. GAME! United escape with the three points thanks to their academy youth product, Kobbie Mainoo.
97th minute: GOALLLLLLLLLL!!! KOBBIE MAINOO HAS DONE IT! The 18-year-old goes on a sensational solo run and curls his strike into the far post.
95th minute: GOALLLLLL! WOLVES EQUALISE! The Wanderers hit United on the break after Ten Hag's side committed far too many players forward for the corner and Neto tucks his effort into the near post.
90th minute: Nine minutes added on!
88th minute: Lemina was in an offside position but nearly guided an effort past Onana. Wolves are really putting United under the cosh here.
85th minute: GOAL! Wolves make it an interesting game again. Martinez blocks a ferocious strike from Neto which results in a corner and United make a mess of defending it before Kilman pokes home.
75th minute: GOAL! McTominay restores United's two-goal lead after meeting the ball with his head from Fernandes' corner. It was his first touch of the game.
70th minute: GOAL! Pablo Sarabia makes no mistake from the spot.
68th minute: PENALTY Wolves! Casemiro brings down Neto just inside the box. After a replay, it does not look as though any contact was made. VAR has taken a look but sticks with the decision.
64th minute: Wolves are knocking at the door and looking good for a goal. A little over half an hour to play.
58th minute: Another opportunity for Wolves to claw their way back into this game! Dawson's effort is saved by Onana's head. I'm not sure how much the United goalkeeper knew about that one...
55th minute: That's a massive chance for Hojlund to put the game to bed. Garnacho picks him out excellently and he takes an unnecessary touch before Sa makes a fantastic save.
50th minute: What a block by Martinez. After initially conceding the free-kick, and receiving a yellow card in the process, he makes a goal-saving clearance off the line.
46th minute: The second half resumes.
HT: After having another goal chalked off due to offside, we've reached the interval. That was United's best half of the season. What does the second have in store?
#COYW
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 1, 202445th minute: Hojlund beautifully strokes past Sa but he just crept offside in the build-up, it was really well taken and he's gutted.
39th minute: Wolves have just started to creep into United's half on a few more occasions and they have scored in 17 consecutive Premier League games at Molineux. United need to keep their focus at the back tonight.
33rd minute: Varane has a glorious chance to make it three but his effort is slightly too high.
24th minute: That left side has been vital for United tonight, Rashford and Shaw looking like themselves from last season.
23rd minute: GOAL! It's three goals in three Premier League games for Hojlund and it comes with a perfect poacher's finish.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 202416th minute: The left flank is causing Wolves all sorts of problems as Rashford and Shaw combine well again but this time the cross is cleared to Casemiro who blasts wide.
11th minute: This has arguably been one of United's best starts to a game all season, and funnily enough it's come when Ten Hag has been able to select his best XI. Time to build on it now...
5th minute: GOAL! Guess who? Marcus Rashford gives United the lead. It's a fantastic finish and Hojlund provides the assist.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 20243rd minute: Casemiro is straight into the book as he cynically brings down Semedo.
1st minute: We're underway in Wolverhampton.
5 minutes until kickoff: The teams are out of the tunnel, kickoff is next.
15 minutes until kickoff: Ten Hag was asked whether this United side is his strongest: "I think so, it could be. We know some have to catch up from game rhythm, like Licha Martinez, Casemiro, Luke Shaw. But this is a strong side and we have to find the rhythm and find our levels to bring the performances and get the results in."
30 minutes until kickoff: February tends to be a good month for the side from Manchester. United haven’t lost a Premier League game in the month since 2018 and have gone unbeaten in their last 22 games in February since.
1 hour until kickoff: The rumours were indeed true! Rashford is straight back in the starting XI for this evening's clash.
Your United team news has landed! ????️#MUFC || #WOLMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2024 — Wolves (@Wolves) February 1, 20241 hour 30 mins until kickoff: The rumour is Marcus Rashford starts tonight for the away side. Team news will be with us in half an hour.
2 hours until kickoff: Matheus Cunha has played a role in seven goals across his last six matches at home for Wolves. He's the man to watch this evening.
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 1, 2024Build-up: Welcome to our live coverage of Wolves vs Man United from the Premier League. Stick with us here for all the latest team news, build-up and live action.
Wolves vs Man United lineupsWolves will be without midfielder Joao Gomes as he serves the final game of a three-match ban, with Spanish forward Pablo Sarabia being assessed due to a calf problem.
Wolves predicted (3-5-2 right to left): Sa (GK) — Kilman, Dawson, T. Gomes — Semedo, Lemina, Doyle, Hodge, Doherty — Cunha, Neto.
Wolves subs: To be confirmed
Ten Hag will make a late call on whether to recall Marcus Rashford to the United squad after the England international missed the trip to Newport.
Rashford's absence was initially explained as an illness but Ten Hag has since confirmed he is dealing with the issue as an "internal matter" at the club.
Man United predicted (4-2-3-1, right to left): Bayindir (GK) — Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw — Eriksen, Mainoo — Fernandes — Antony, Hojlund, Garnacho.
Man United subs: To be confirmed
What time is Man United vs Wolves Premier League match?The action kicks off at Molineux at 8:15 p.m. local time in the UK. Here's how that looks in some of the other major regions globally:
US/Canada (ET): 3:15 p.m. Australia (AEDT): 7:15 a.m. India (IST): 1:45 a.m. (Friday, Feb. 2) Man United vs Wolves live stream, TV channelHere's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
Region TV Streaming USA NBC USA Network, Universo Fubo, NBC app/website, Universo NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo Canada —Fubo Canada
UK TNT Sports 1 discovery+ Australia — Optus Sport India Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select HD1 JioTV, HotstarUSA: This game is available on the NBC USA Network with streaming options on Fubo. Telemundo is the place to go for Spanish speakers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via Fubo in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on-demand on Optus Sport.
UK: This match is available for live broadcast via TNT Sports with streaming options on Discovery+.
India: The action is available telecast on Star Sports, while it can be streamed on JioTV and Hotstar.
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