The West Midlands team was defeated by Anthony Martial’s close-range goal and Alejandro Garnacho’s late winner. The Reds now need just two victories from their last three games to ensure their spot in Europe’s premier league next season.
In order to set up Martial’s first goal, Bruno Fernandes first found Antony. Later, the midfielder was able to slip a beautiful through pass for replacement Garnacho to rush on to and score in his first game back from injury.
The Reds are currently level on points with third-placed Newcastle United, with the Magpies’ stronger goal difference putting Erik ten Hag’s team behind them. The Reds have put significant pressure on top-placed Liverpool, who will play Leicester City on Monday night.
The Red Army was in full voice as the game got off to a fast start at the Theatre of Dreams under the brilliant weather. The Reds controlled play within Wolves’ half by controlling the pace with slick passes and pressuring the opposition whenever they lost possession of the ball. When Casemiro found Christian Eriksen, the Danish midfielder almost scored when he shot, but Eriksen’s effort sailed over the crossbar.
Later, Ten Hag’s team came close to capitalising on a defensive blunder. When receiving the ball, Max Kilman fell, allowing Antony to grab it and make a run for the goal.
The Brazilian was able to grip the ball with his left foot, which is his preferred foot, and bend a shot towards Dan Bentley’s goal, but the shot missed the far post.
For the first 25 minutes, United maintained control of Wolves, preventing the visitors from putting David De Gea to the test with a shot on goal. Fernandes’ straight free-kick nearly paid off for the Reds as it powered over the wall but was collected by Bentley. The next chance came from Eriksen, who sent a long shot that fizzed wide in an attempt to test the former Bristol City custodian.
After receiving a pass from Jadon Sancho on the overlap, Luke Shaw launched a first-time cross deep into the area with the intention of finding Antony. However, despite the winger’s perfectly timed run, his header lacked direction, and a wonderful opportunity was lost.
But eventually, success was achieved. Fernandes received a fantastic pass from Sancho and took it with ease as he considered his options. The Brazilian midfielder opted for a selfless square pass to Martial while the Portuguese midfielder decided to thread the ball through to Antony.
The French forward opened the scoring and scored his 50th Premier League goal by striking the ball into the corner of the net while having plenty of time and space at his disposal.
As halftime approached, United wanted to score a crucial second goal. After gaining possession of the ball deep inside his own half, Antony was able to outwit the Wolves defence and bear down on Bentley’s goal. He eventually made contact with Martial, who attempted to curl a strike from outside the box, but Bentley comfortably parried it.
Julen Lopetegui’s team would manage to make more of an effect in the second half after having a quiet opening 45 minutes. The finest opportunity for Wolves to try and score came when Nelson Semedo’s cross found the head of former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, but the Spaniard’s header was deflected wide. Wolves created multiple chances to try and score a goal against David De Gea.
Antony kept posing a danger to the Wolves defence and came close to scoring. The Brazilian wide player for United connected with Fernandes right outside the box and fired a shot that went just wide of the near post.
Sancho attempted to provide the Reds with the decisive edge in their pursuit of a second goal. Stretching out, Casemiro was able to transfer the ball to replacement Wout Weghorst, who then passed it into the path of the winger, whose low attempt was stopped by Bentley.
The centre midfielder Casemiro was the next to try his luck, and he smashed the ball from beyond the box, forcing the rookie to make an incredible save to maintain the score at 1-0. The resultant corner soared over the bar and landed on Weghorst’s head.
When Fred was fouled by Dawson with a few minutes remaining, United continued to attack to calm any frayed nerves. Fernandes then blasted the resulting free kick over the wall and over the crossbar. The game was still within reach for the visitors, but Bentley once more displayed his agility to keep Antony at bay.
Don’t care what any one says this lad has a great mentality already at a young age, he will be a great one day if he continues this way..
VIVA GARNACHO. đŸ‡¦đŸ‡· pic.twitter.com/bdoZaNuGE6
— ManUtdMania (@ManUtdMania_) May 13, 2023
However, Garnacho stepped up to deliver the fatal hit in stoppage time. The teenage player sped past Nelson Semedo after receiving a superb through pass from Fernandes. Garnacho took a nice shot towards Bentley’s left side, and the ball cannoned against both goal posts before falling in to give Ten Hag’s team a crucial 2-0 victory.
However, Garnacho stepped up to deliver the fatal hit in stoppage time. The teenage player sped past Nelson Semedo after receiving a superb through pass from Fernandes. Garnacho took a nice shot towards Bentley’s left side, and the ball cannoned against both goal posts before falling in to give Ten Hag’s team a crucial 2-0 victory.
