Manchester United failed to capitalize on their fine recent form, as they stumbled against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Fred’s goal was enough for a temporary lead, but not for all three points, as Joao Moutinho scored the equalizer to earn the visitors a valuable point.
It was once again a Manchester United performance we have been seeing since Jose Mourinho took over. Or even before that. The Devils were on a run of three consecutive wins, all away from Old Trafford, but they lost two points against another newly-promoted side, something they made were so used to do in the past 12 months.
Alexis Should Not Start Right Now
In a match where United needed some creative spark, instead of lumping the ball forward looking for Marouane Fellaini for the last 20 minutes of the match, Alexis Sanchez was very much needed. But he did not really turn up. We can talk about Sanchez creating decent amount of chances – though not too many of high quality – and we could talk about his tenacity and aggressiveness. What United need from such a player is end product.
He has been lacking in that ever since he joined from Arsenal. Two Premier League goals and four assists in 17 appearances is appalling for a player of his quality and previous performances throughout his career. He is still being dispossessed too often, losing too many balls and when he is needed the most, like today, he tends to go missing. It seems like Anthony Martial should get a run of matches in starting XI – to wake Sanchez up, but also to see what the Frenchman will do.
All The Good And All The Bad From Pogba
This was a match where we could see all the good and all the bad things from Paul Pogba. The goal he assisted was a piece of beauty, something only special players do. He was also spraying the long balls around the way only he knows and he created three chances. But also, on the other hand, defensively he was inconsistent and undisciplined. Pogba did not track back the way he was expected and after that Wolves scored. He has to become a player Man United can rely on at all times.
Inconsistency Once Again
We talked about how this run of four matches being played at home from the next five was supposed to be a good thing, but Manchester United continued with their inconsistent performances. In the last seven months, United had played three newly-promoted sides – Newcastle and Brighton last season and Wolves this season. They picked up just one point.
This is all you have to know about how unsustainable United’s performances are if they are to actually try and do something special this season.
Wolves Can Do Wonderful Things
Wolves started their Premier League campaign strongly, winning nine points in opening six matches, losing just once. Also, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team drew with both Manchester sides inside of their opening month and a half of the season after winning Championship. Their core of Portuguese players has a lot of quality and Wolves seem to know what they are supposed to do to make good results in Premier League. Who knows where they might end up next season?
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