Wolves moved out of the relegation zone thanks to Matheus Cunha’s goal from a corner as Bruno Fernandes was sent off for Manchester United in their 2-0 defeat at Molineux.
Cunha was the outstanding player on the pitch throughout but it was still a surprise when his second-half corner was allowed to curl beyond Andre Onana and into the net. It is the second time in three games that United have conceded directly from a corner.
Fernandes’ red card for two bookable offences had already left United up against it and there was no way back for Ruben Amorim’s team, Hee-Chan Hwang’s 99th-minute goal, set up by Cunha, of course, putting the seal on a huge win for Vitor Pereira’s Wolves.
This Boxing Day win was only a second Premier League victory of the season in front of their own fans but it is two wins from two under Pereira to lift Wolves up to 17th.
United’s defeat sees them drop down to 14th in the Premier League table.
Man Utd’s woes continue
The red card to Fernandes obviously offered some mitigating circumstances for this United defeat and there was enough tension inside Molineux to believe that Amorim’s players might conjure an equaliser until very late in the game. But this was still poor.
Cunha’s goal was a fifth set-piece goal that United have conceded under Amorim, a second directly from a corner inside a fortnight. No team in the Premier League has conceded a greater proportion of their goals from such situations so far this season.
Much of the focus at United is now long term but that is something that Amorim must address quickly to avoid this season going from bad to worse. Particularly when the more general question of the team’s style of play remains a problem for these players.
This fixture was a 4-3 thriller last season but both clubs have changed manager since then and with the two Portuguese coaches committed to their 3-4-2-1 systems, it made for a very different contest. United were the team who looked to be struggling more.
Even when the game was 11 against 11, they lacked zip, moving the ball far too slowly to take advantage against opponents who began the game in the bottom three. Amorim will be more convinced than ever that wholesale changes are required for next season.
But next season looks a long way away if United continue to play like this. It is Newcastle next then back-to-back away games against Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League and FA Cup, respectively. This could get messier before it gets better.
Amorim: No idea how long it will take
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim speaking in the press conference:
“The idea needs time. I said it before to you guys, this will be a tough moment and we are far from at the end of this moment. We have to continue and focus on the next thing.
“They need time to train, they are changing completely. The way of playing is really hard on them, it’s really hard on the staff also to pass all the information. When you don’t have results it’s even harder for them to believe. We have to continue.”
Asked if he is disappointed to concede from a corner again…
“When you are jumping, the slightest touch against Tottenham was in the arm, today it was in the back. When you touch someone when he’s jumping it’s really hard to catch the ball.”
Asked if he is worried about United being sucked down the table…
“In this moment we just have to survive and to take some time to work on the team. We already knew it. I started this job and we started with the team, the new idea, without any time to train, with a lot of tough games. We already knew it, it’s a long journey.”
Asked how long it will take for his ideas to work at United…
“I have no idea. Instead of me trying to understand how much time it will take, just day by day, improving, trying to see the videos, using every minute of training and trying to win some points, because it’s really important in this moment.”
Asked if he is frustrated with Fernandes for the red card…
“I’m always frustrated with the red card, but it can happen. He wants to go to the ball, it’s not like he wants to stop a play with a yellow. He wants to go to the ball and then the other guy touches the ball first and then there is a contact.”
Man Utd’s defeat in stats
- Manchester United have lost four of their last five games in the Premier League, as many defeats as in their previous 15 matches in the competition.
- Only Everton and Southampton have failed to score in more different games this season than Manchester United’s seven.
- Rúben Amorim is the first Manchester United manager to lose as many as five of his first 10 games in charge of the club in all competitions since Walter Crickmer in 1932.
- No side has conceded more goals from corners in the Premier League this season than Manchester United.
- Bruno Fernandes is the first Manchester United player to be sent off three times in a season in all competitions since Nemanja Vidic in 2008/09.
Player of the match: Matheus Cunha
After scoring against Leicester in Pereira’s first game in charge, Cunha followed up with a goal and assist for Wolves in this defeat of Manchester United.
“He is a top player,” said Pereira afterwards.
“He is a special player. He can do things that can make the difference in small details. We try his corner because we want the swing inside to explore this. But you can work a lot and in the end nothing happens. With this kind of player this can happen.”
Asked about Cunha standing up as a leader in this Wolves team, Pereira praised the Brazilian – and others in his squad. “I am discovering day by day leaders within the team,” he added. “They want to do something. They want to change things.”