Manchester United vs Wolves LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Raphael Varane scores winner
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves: Raphael Varane’s header sees the hosts claim all three points despite a spirited performance from Wolves
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United got their 2023/24 Premier League campaign off to a winning start despite a poor performance at Old Trafford against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The visitors were the better side for most of the game with Matheus Nunes and Matheus Cunha finding lots of joy with runs through midfield but the midlands side lacked quality in front of goal. Debutant Andre Onana impressed for the hosts and made a number of saves in the second half to keep them ahead.
But, it was Raphael Varane who provided the difference. Jadon Sancho won a corner that was initially cleared. Varane stayed up the pitch and when Bruno Fernandes chipped it back into the box he was on hand to meet Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s pass and head home the winner.
Relive the action as Manchester United host Wolves in the Premier League:
More from Wolves boss Gary O’Neil who had his say on the VAR decision
“I thought live it was a penalty. It looked like the keeper nearly took our forward’s head off. I think it is a foul, you go for the ball and clatter the player that hard, it is a penalty.
“I thought he was going over to the screen at first but unfortunately he booked me and not Onana.
“I understand the rules [of sticking with the on field decisions as much as possible], but I don’t fully accept it.
“I have spoken to the officials about it already. It is a dfifcult decison for the on-field official, we can’t just leave it. If we are all saying it then he need to have a look.
“In the end we can’t just focus on that decision. To come to Old Trafford and have the most shots of any side since 2005 and dominate after just four days of work is exceptional. The lads deserved more tonight.”
Reaction from Gary O’Neil
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil speaking to Sky Sports: “Yeah disappointed of course that we have to drive home with nothing. When I look what the lads gave and how hard they worked and stuck to the game plan, they were incredible.
“We wanted some points and we dont leave with any.
“We tried to overload the middle, create a box in there four versus three, lots of detail. Similar approach to what I have always done, while tweaking it with the players we have.
“But it isn’t all down to me, the players were great and executed it. We had some great chances but found a way somehow to not put the ball in the net.”
Full-time! Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
90+9 mins: There goes the whistle to signal the end of the game. Manchester United hold out to win the match and claim all three points.
Wolves were the better team on the night but they go home empty handed as Raphael Varane is the matchwinner for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag’s second season gets off to a winning start.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
90+7 mins: Wolves whip crosses into the box and pile the pressure on Manchester United. The hosts cannot get the ball clear and Pedro Neto whips another one in from the right side.
Andre Onana comes to claim the ball and cleans out one of the Wolves players. VAR are checking for a potential penalty. It doesn’t look good for the United keeper.
But no! Nothing comes from it. Gary O’Neil is raging on the touchline and earns himself a yellow card.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
90+3 mins: Jadon Sancho has been good since his introduction. He’s looked to get forward and has been confident in possession. He draws a foul out of Craig Dawson to take a couple of seconds out of the game as the teams set up for a free kick.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
90 mins: Seven minutes of added time to play at Old Trafford. Wolves are the ones pushing for the win here. Fabio Silva has yet another shot blocked from inside the box, Luke Shaw leaping in front of the effort this time.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
88 mins: Marcus Rashford had a couple of half chances tonight but wasn’t able to showcase his best for the home side tonight. He’s taken off with Scott McTominay brought on to shore up the United defence for the final few minutes.
Wolves float a free kick into the penalty area but Onana comes out to confidently claim the ball.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
85 mins: Onana denies Fabio Silva from inside the box once again and Man Utd’s goalkeeper is having a fantastic debut at Old Trafford.
United are defending deep in order to hold on to their lead.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
82 mins: Save! Wolves sweep into the box from the right and cut the ball back to Fabio Silva who’s come off the bench for the visitors. He shoots first time but Andre Onana has the near post covered and blocks the ball wide of the target.
Man Utd 1-0 Wolves
79 mins: Marcus Rashford is sent into space on the left side of the pitch and drives the ball into the penalty area.
He eventually gets crowded out before recovering the ball and feeding it to Jadon Sancho but the offside flag goes up against Rashford for his initially run.
That’s a close call.
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