In the Reds’ first game of 2022, Bruno Lage’s dominant Wolves team scored late to hand Ralf Rangnick his first defeat as United manager.
Since their promotion to the Premier League, the Molineux players have been a thorn in our side, and they demonstrated it once again at Old Trafford. Yesterday’s match was the demonstration of a similar outcome.
The following is how we graded each Manchester United player:
David de Gea: 6
Ruben Neves’s powerful volley was well saved by him. However, there was nothing he could do to stop Joao Moutinho’s game-winning goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 5
In the first half, he showed hints of his attacking potential, narrowly avoiding CR7 with his crossing. Although we believe that Diogo Dalot will reclaim his position.
Phil Jones: 8
Phil Jones’ game by numbers vs. Wolves:
90% pass accuracy
60 touches
8 duels contested
7 duels won
7 ball recoveries
3 tackles
3 blocked shots
2 clearances
2 interceptions
1 take-onPlayed well on his return to the side. 💪 pic.twitter.com/22oYyn1fRp
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 3, 2022
He was a surprise starter, wearing a United shirt for the first time in 707 days. As the game progressed, he grew stronger in the tackle and attempted to play out. A bonus point for performing well despite having not played in years. Unfortunately, his header was intercepted by Moutinho.
Raphael Varane: 6
Looked a lot better than he did in Newcastle, and he handled Jimenez nicely. He’s only made two starts in the last three months.
Luke Shaw: 5
Shaw struggled to augment our energy after his eye-catching comeback against Burnley and was strangely outpaced by Adama Traore, a player he has dominated in the past.
Scott McTominay: 4
He’s just as awful against the Wolves even if he put in a fantastic display against the Clarets. On the ball, they were sloppy, and Neves and Moutinho dominated. Any squad with a couple of ball-playing midfielders will breeze right past us.
Nemanja Matic: 3
Apart from a cross to Fernandes that struck the crossbar, he had little influence. Was very easily dominated by Ruben Neves.
Mason Greenwood: 6
United’s finest attacking outlet in the front four, but he’s still learning at the age of 20. Too much was expected of him, and he was mercilessly substituted once more.
Jadon Sancho: 3
On and off the ball, ropey and slow. He appears to have lost his stride and is unsure where he should be playing. He was fortunate to have stayed on for as long as he did.
Edinson Cavani: 4
At Newcastle, he changed the game, and he was decent in the past game, but he’s nearly invisible here. Even his lung-busting runs were noticeably absent.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 4
Almost put Jimenez in with an inaccurate header after having a goal disallowed. Captained the team while receiving little to no service upfront.
Substitutes:
Bruno Fernandes: 6
His introduction injected some energy into the game, but he should have buried the chance that rebounded off the bar.
Marcus Rashford: 4
Not much of an impact after coming on.
Anthony Elanga: N/A
Didn’t have much time to influence the game.
