Man United managed to pull out a 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux on Sunday meaning the Red Devils go into the international break as the third-placed side on the Premier League table.
Wolves were on the front foot for most of the match but in the end, it was a fine strike from Mason Greenwood that helped the Old Trafford outfit pick up all three points.
United have been stellar away from home over the past year and a half but their record was seriously under threat with the way Wolves had started the game.
This was in no way a five-star performance from Man United but Solskjaer will surely be happy that his side did not crumble under pressure and instead managed to grind out a result. Having said that, the manager has some really solid thinking to do – particularly in his midfield selections.
Man United player ratings vs Wolves:
De Gea: 8/10
De Gea’s importance in the side has diminished over the past few months but his double save in the second half is what helped Man United keep a clean sheet and also pick up a win. Those few seconds of magic were crucial in helping keep United in the game and he was easily the standout player for United on Sunday.
Luke Shaw: 7/10
Had a pretty solid game as he managed to keep players like Trincao and Adama Traore from getting too much joy down the flanks. Shaw could not join in the attacking areas too much since the Wolves attackers were really causing a lot of mayhem.
Wan-Bissaka: 7.5/10
In the first quarter of the match, AWB really struggled to keep Traore at bay and it seemed like the right-back was going to have a nightmare. But he managed to stabilize as the game went on and in the second half he was back to his usual self.
Varane: 7.5/10
The Frenchman had a pretty solid first start of the club but his sync with Harry Maguire needs to grow much more if Man United need to constantly play out from the back. He provided the assist for Greenwood’s goal.
Harry Maguire: 7.5/10
The England centre-back was found wanting a few times but overall he put out a fantastic display, making two interceptions and winning two aerial duels.
Fred: 5.5/10
He was once again the weakest link in the side and his performance was a perfect example why the Man United fans are urging their side to bring in a new CDM. The Brazilian looked all over the place in the first few minutes and while he did calm down as the game went on, he’s nowhere close to getting a starting role(if Ole has other serious options).
Paul Pogba: 7.5/10
The Frenchman had to move back into midfield for this game and this obviously impacted his play to a large degree. Pogba looked much more menacing in the final third but thankfully his hard work and urge to track back did not see a dip on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes: 7/10
Fernandes could not impact the game too much in the first half but he saw a lot of the ball during the second 45 minutes. The playmaker also found himself in some dangerous positions as United pressed on for a winner.
Jadon Sancho: 6.5/10
The summer signing had a really muted outing, so much so that Ole had to take him off in the 72nd minute. Sancho is still adapting to the Premier League so he will need some time before he can hit peak form once again.
Dan James: 6.5/10
Like Sancho, James was also below average performance down the right flank and the writing’s on the wall that the Welshman is not cut out to be a Man United first-team regular.
Ole Gunnar took charge of his 100th Premier League game with Manchester United today:
▪ 53 wins
▪ 28 draws
▪ 19 defeats pic.twitter.com/6CFLx0gfMs— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2021
Mason Greenwood: 8/10
Started as the main centre-forward but had to shift onto the right-hand side once Edinson Cavani came on the pitch. And it was from the wider area that Greenwood found the back of the net.
Substitutions:
Anthony Martial: 6.5/10
Martial replaced Jadon Sancho but did not do anything noteworthy throughout the game.
Cavani: 6.8/10
He failed to register a shot on target since his arrival in the 53rd minute but his introduction meant the Wolves defender had to be on their toes for the rest of the game.
