United’s Struggles Continue Despite Early Lead Against Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers had endured a challenging season, having lost 16 of their previous 18 Premier League matches, with their only points gained from a home draw against Brighton and an away draw against Tottenham. In contrast, Manchester United recently achieved a commendable 1-0 victory over Newcastle, aided by coach Ruben Amorim’s tactical shift, which featured Patrick Dorgu effectively utilized as a right forward rather than his usual left-wing-back role. However, Amorim reverted to his preferred 3-4-3 formation against Wolves to counteract their five-man defense.

United missed captain Bruno Fernandes due to injury, alongside Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui, who were participating in the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, Mason Mount was sidelined from the match following a knock suffered against Newcastle, and Kobbie Mainoo remained unavailable due to a training injury. Despite these absences, Amorim refused to attribute the team’s lackluster performance to missing players, acknowledging deficiencies in creativity and energy.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Amorim stated, “We struggled for the whole game. We had a lack of creativity, but we understood that this would be a different match compared to Newcastle. Our energy levels differed as well. While we had some opportunities, our fluidity was lacking due to insufficient connections on the pitch.”

He further explained, “The dynamics of the game were entirely different from our last outing. When you have more players behind the ball, it demands greater effort and imagination to navigate the game effectively. We did not exhibit that quality. We will not use the absence of players as an excuse, but I recognize the reasons behind our lack of fluidity and one-on-one effectiveness.”

Joshua Zirkzee managed to put United ahead with a deflected goal but was substituted at halftime for the young Jack Fletcher. Amorim clarified that this was a tactical move, with Zirkzee not suffering from any injury concerns. He implied that the presence of Zirkzee alongside Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko was diminishing United’s attacking potential.

“We were often left chasing the ball,” he elaborated. “Wolves overloaded the midfield, which posed difficulties for us. At times, a more streamlined attack can yield better results. The players exerted effort, yet when you do not perform well with the ball, you struggle defensively as well. We need to regroup and prepare for our next match.”

Looking ahead, United will face their rivals Leeds on Sunday, but their home form is increasingly alarming, having secured only six points from their last five matches at Old Trafford, which included a shocking 1-0 loss to ten-man Everton and draws against Bournemouth, West Ham, and Wolves, with only a single victory against Newcastle.

Lisandro Martinez expressed his frustration regarding the inability to secure a win against Wolves and the overall disappointing home results. “I feel really disappointed. We cannot afford to draw at home in this type of match. Winning at home is essential, and our opponents must endure the pressure. It is incredibly frustrating,” he remarked.

United missed yet another opportunity to break into the Premier League’s top four, particularly after Chelsea’s draw with Bournemouth. Amorim emphasized the importance of moving on from disappointing results quickly, stating, “The same principle applies as when you play extremely well. You cannot change the outcome of this match, but you can learn from it and prepare for the next challenge.”