Manchester United and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League's 19th round. Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring for United in the 27th minute, but Wolves' Ladislav Krejci equalized just before halftime. The match was marked by a disallowed goal for United in stoppage time, adding a layer of drama to the evening.
A Balanced First Half
The first half saw Manchester United take the lead through Zirkzee, who capitalized on a defensive lapse. Wolves responded with Krejci finding the net in the 45th minute, ensuring both teams went into the break on level terms. The half was characterized by a mix of attacking intent and defensive solidity from both sides.
Late Drama and Disallowed Goal
The second half was a tactical battle, with both teams making strategic substitutions to gain an edge. Manchester United thought they had snatched a late winner, but Patrick Dorgu's goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Wolves held firm defensively, with Yerson Mosquera's seven tackles proving crucial.
Statistical Insights
United dominated possession with 57% and had more shots on goal, but Wolves' defense, led by Mosquera, was resilient. Both teams had their chances, but the goalkeepers were up to the task, with José Sá making five saves for Wolves. The expected goals metric reflected a closely contested match, with Wolves slightly edging it at 1.02 to United's 0.81.
Looking Ahead
Manchester United's recent form has been inconsistent, with two draws and a win in their last five matches. Wolves, meanwhile, continue to struggle away from home, having not won in their last five outings. Both teams will look to improve as they head into the new year, with United aiming to solidify their position in the top half and Wolves seeking to climb out of the lower reaches of the table.
