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As it happenedended

Wolves vs Manchester United as it happened: Paul Pogba misses penalty to cost Red Devils victory at Molineux

Anthony Martial’s opener was cancelled out by Ruben Neves before Pogba wasted a chance to win it from the spot

Harry Latham-Coyle
Monday 19 August 2019 16:27 EDT
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Wolves v Manchester United: Premier League match preview

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Paul Pogba missed a penalty as Ruben Neves’ sensational strike earned Wolves a point against Manchester United.

Midfielder Pogba had his spot-kick saved by Rui Patricio – his fourth penalty miss in a year – as United drew 1-1 at Molineux.

It came after Neves curled in a brilliant second-half leveller to cancel out Anthony Martial’s 50th United goal.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side missed the chance to top the early Premier League table despite a dominant first-half display.

Wolves’ second-half rally earned them a point and they now travel to Torino for the first leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday.

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What time is kick-off?

The match will begin at 20:00 on Monday 19 August.

Where can I watch it?

The game is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HD.

You can also watch via Now TV with an annual subscription.

Sky subscribers can also stream the match via the Sky Go app.

Expected line-ups

Wolves XI: Rui Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Castro, Jimenez, Jota​

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Pereira, McTominay, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Rashford

Odds

Wolves: 21/10

Draw: 9/4

Manchester United: 13/10

Wolves have enjoyed their own strong start to the season. While a 0-0 draw against Leicester did not catch the eye, a point at the King Power is not easily procured, and come the sticky end of things this season might just prove crucial in what looks a potentially tantalising race for the Europa League places.

But is the continental conquests that will have Nuno smiling, with the job very much done against Pyunik with an 8-0 aggregate victory. Torino are up next in the Europa League, which is trickier on paper, and squad management may become an issue - the Portuguese manager has tended to favour a thinner squad and you wonder if further European travels may prove detrimental. 

Still, they are a side in with a settled, maturing squad. As they make their home 2019/20 Premier League bow, Wolves will be fancying themselves this evening. 

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 18:57

Team News - Wolves

A familiar looking lineup is restored by Nuno after the second-string's Europa League exploits on Thursday.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:01

Team News - Manchester United 

A sole change for Manchester United, but an exciting one - out goes Andreas Pereira, in comes Daniel James for a first Premier League start for the club. A slight formational tweak, perhaps, but that front four is fun with a capital F.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:03

You just wonder if, with those changes, Manchester United might just be caught a touch short in midfield tonight. 

Wolves boast a mighty fine trio with a blend of skills. Leander Dendoncker's emergence as a floating destroyer in the second half of last season added an edge to the silkiness of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, and the visitors look a little under-manned, with Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba not perhaps naturally diligent midfielders.

You can't cede midfield dominance to Wolves...

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:14

Manchester United may look to exploit the channels alongside the Wolves back three with the pace of Daniel James and Marcus Rashford. 

Matt Doherty and Jonny are solid operators on either flank but if they are invited forward by a deeper-set Manchester United 4-2-3-1 then they might just leave Ryan Bennett and Willy Boly a touch exposed.

Rashford and James both have the acceleration to gobble up such opportunities. 

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:19

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:20
Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:21

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:24

By the way, a win tonight would take Manchester United top of the Premier League regardless of margin. The season may be very much in its infancy, but it's nicer to be top than bottom at any time of year.

Speaking of infancy:

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:28

Tammy Abraham gave Harry Maguire a few early problems on his Manchester United debut, yes, but it was a largely blemish-free performance for the former Leicester man as Chelsea largely failed to cohesively threaten through the middle. You suspect it might be a tougher night this evening, with Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez one of the better front twos in the league.

The duo evolved into a wonderful partnership last season, receptive to each other's strengths, and both movers who challenge and stretch defences in different ways. It is worth remembering that Maguire has not long been at Manchester United and with Aaron Wan-Bissaka also new to the back four, Jota and Jimenez might find some joy as the new colleagues continue to find their footing as a collective.

Harry Latham-Coyle19 August 2019 19:45

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