Manchester United 2-0 Wolves: Hosts close on top-four, player ratings and man of the match
Report and free match highlights as Manchester United move four points above fifth-placed Liverpool with just three games to play; Anthony Martial scored in first half before Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to seal the points in stoppage time; Wolves had no shots on target
Manchester United moved four points above fifth-placed Liverpool in the Premier League with just three games remaining following a comfortable 2-0 home win against Wolves.
The result means Erik ten Hag’s side are closing on a Champions League spot and only trail third-placed Newcastle, who drew 2-2 at Leeds earlier on Saturday, on goal difference.
United’s performance will not live long in many memories but the hosts delivered in a must-win game, creating enough chances to ensure Wolves were second best throughout the contest and preventing their visitors from recording a single shot on target.
The opening goal came from Anthony Martial in the 32nd minute when the forward swept into an empty net from Antony’s pass, before substitute Alejandro Garnacho returned from injury to seal the win in stoppage time.
Player ratings
Man Utd: De Gea (6), Wan-Bissaka (7), Varane (6), Lindelof (7), Shaw (7), Casemiro (7), Eriksen (7), Antony (7), Fernandes (8), Sancho (7), Martial (7).
Subs: Weghorst (6), Fred (6), Maguire (6), Garnacho (7).
Wolves: Bentley (8), Semedo (6), Dawson (6), Kilman (5), Toti (6), Nunes (6), Lemina (6), Neves (6), Neto (5), Cunha (5), Costa (5).
Subs: Hwang (6), Podence (6), Bueno (6), Traore (6), Jimenez (6).
Player of the match: Bruno Fernandes
How United eased past toothless Wolves
United’s grasp on a top-four place had been loosened by back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Brighton and West Ham and they received a further blow before kick-off with news that Marcus Rashford was not fit enough to take a place in the squad.
Rashford looked like he would be a big miss given fixtures between United and Wolves have tended to be cagey affairs, with just one of their last eight meetings in all competitions seeing more than one goal scored.
Rashford looked like he would be a big miss given fixtures between United and Wolves have tended to be cagey affairs, with just one of their last eight meetings in all competitions seeing more than one goal scored.
The opportunity came after Max Kilman raced from the defensive line to win a ball he could not reach and his error summed up a sloppy first half from Wolves, with Antony nearly taking advantage of a defensive slip inside the first 10 minutes.
The Brazilian winger was presented with an even better opening moments before Martial’s goal when he headed Luke Shaw’s inviting cross over from just yards out.
United continued to test Bentley in the second period but he was up to the task, making excellent saves from Jadon Sancho and Antony to ensure Wolves remained in the game.
But Julen Lopetegui’s side could not take advantage of their ‘keeper’s impressive display, failing to create any chances of note on a day in which Raphael Varane made a shaky return after a month out with injury.
Garnacho then ended any Wolves hopes when he raced clear deep into second-half stoppage time, beating Bentley as he fired his shot in off the post and securing a vital three points for United, who look well placed to return to the Champions League in Ten Hag’s first season in charge.