Kobbie Mainoo gives Manchester United victory after a spectacular final phase

Manchester United managed to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers after a very spectacular match. Manager Erik ten Hag's team dominated large parts of the match at Molineux, but had to allow Pedro Neto's equalizer deep in injury time. Even deeper into injury time, Kobbie Mainoo gave Manchester United the full spoils after a brilliant individual action: 3-4. Manchester United rises to seventh place in the Premier League thanks to the victory; Wolverhampton is eleventh.

On the Manchester United side, Ten Hag had a starting place in store for André Onana, who recently returned from a disappointing Africa Cup. Marcus Rashford also started straight back into the starting line-up after his night-time outing in Belfast. At the back, the central defensive duo was formed by Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez, while Mainoo played in midfield next to Casemiro.

United took the lead in the fifth minute. Diogo Dalot played the ball into the box, where Bruno Fernandes made a clever step to create space for Højlund. The Dane put it back excellently to Rashford, who subtly placed the ball into the far corner with the inside right: 0-1. United quickly looked for the next goal and tried to force it through Casemiro, who shot a few meters wide.

Still, the second goal of the Red Devils fall soon. Alejandro Garnacho moved the play to the left side of the pitch, where Rashford was reached. The Englishman passed to compatriot Luke Shaw, who gave Højlund an almost unmissable chance at the first post: 0-2.

An excellent free kick from Fernandes gave Casemiro the next big opportunity. The Brazilian had a free header opportunity at the near post, but mishit the ball and saw his attempt miss the goal. The missed opportunity did not change the game picture. Højlund excellently chased goalkeeper José Sá, who hit the Dane with his kick and saw to his great relief that the United striker's 'bet' went just wide. Varane fired a volley over the home team's goal just before half-time.

Shortly after the interruption, Wolverhampton got its first big chance of the match. Max Kilman seemed to hit the target after a complete miss from Onana, but Martínez made a save on the goal line. At the other end, José Sá kept Wolverhampton in the match with a close-range save from Højlund's attempt. Wolverhampton knocked on the door after the break, but the much-needed first goal was not forthcoming for a long time.

Yet Wolverhampton would manage to completely bring back the tension. Casemiro committed an apparently minor foul in the box, but that was enough for a penalty. Pablo Sarabia stood behind the ball and shot through the middle, while Onana chose the right corner: 1-2. However, Manchester United soon put things in order. Substitute Scott McTominay headed from a Fernandes corner through the ground into the far corner: 1-3.

Manchester United seemed to be close to victory, but was disappointed. Kilman was given the opportunity to enter Manchester United's box and scored through Onana and Dalot: 2-3. Shortly afterwards, Mario Lemina tapped just wide, although the Gabonese turned out to have been offside. Yet there was still reason for optimism for the home crowd when it turned out that nine minutes of injury time were added.

McTominay had a huge opportunity from close range, which he killed. That seemed to be a very expensive mistake. Antony's loss of ball led to a counter by Wolverhampton, which found space on the right with Pedro Neto. He cut inside, got rid of Varane and shot in the short corner: 3-3.

In the bizarre final phase, Mainoo made it 3-4 under the watchful eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. He regained the ball, played an opponent through the legs and shot perfectly into the far corner. It was the first Premier League goal ever for the eighteen-year-old midfielder.

More news





More sports news