Manchester United suffered yet another disappointing defeat, this time losing 2-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 26, 2024, at Molineux Stadium. Under the scrutiny of their fans and media alike, the club's captain, Bruno Fernandes, received his third red card of the season, putting his team at yet another disadvantage and cementing their troubling form.
The match began with both teams grappling for control under the thick fog enveloping Molineux, but it was United's lack of discipline and strategy—once again—putting them at the center of the disappointment. Just two minutes after the second half kicked off, Fernandes was booked again for tripping Wolves captain Nelson Semedo. The sending-off came just moments after he received his first yellow card for fouling Matheus Cunha, leaving United with ten men.
Fernandes' dismissal shifted the dynamics of the game dramatically. Though the match was still level at zero, the red card changed everything, giving Wolves the upper hand. Following this, the home side took advantage of United’s vulnerability when Cunha's corner kick unexpectedly curled itself directly past goalkeeper André Onana—scoring directly his first goal of the evening and marking the second time United conceded from such circumstances within just one week. This set piece mistake was emblematic of United's season-long vulnerability during defensive duties.
Hwang Hee-chan sealed the victory for Wolves with mere moments left on the clock, scoring after Cunha provided him with a perfect assist, now capping off what was undoubtedly his best performance on the day. The final whistle marked Wolves’ rise out of the relegation zone for the first time this season under their new manager, Vitor Pereira. This win lifted Wolves up to 17th place, now boasting 15 points, just above the troubled waters of relegation.
Ruben Amorim, who is settling as United’s new manager following the departure of Erik ten Hag, faced serious questions after the game. The defeat marked his fourth loss in five league matches. It left him with the unfortunate record of being the first United manager to lose four Premier League games so quickly, doing so with less matches than his predecessor—evidentiary of the size of the task he faces.
Critics pointed fingers at Fernandes, highlighting his reckless challenges, particularly the second yellow card challenge, which left fans and analysts questioning his judgment and leadership during such dire moments for the team. Mark Critchley from The Athletic noted, “If the foul on Cunha for the first booking was cynical, the second on Semedo was reckless for any player—never mind one already on yellow, never mind for united skipper.”
Post-match, Amorim addressed the media, acknowledging the difficulties his team faced. “I will always be frustrated with a red card, but it can happen. He wanted to go for the ball. The other guy touched the ball first, and there was contact. That thing is tough on him, also,” he stated. The manager also reflected on the alarming pattern of conceding goals from set pieces and emphasized the urgent need for change as his team continued to lag behind the competition.
The match illustrated just how far United have fallen. Their recently assembled squad lacks fluidity and balance—and defensive blunders contribute to their shaky foundations. With Fernandes' performance under the spotlight, Amorim mentioned his captain needing to refine his approach. He continued, “When you don’t have any results, it’s even harder for them to believe. We have to continue. We already knew it was tough and we have to focus on the next game.”
The immediate concern for United now lies with their continuing poor form, which sees them stuck at 14th place—seven points adrift of fifth-place Newcastle United, who will visit Old Trafford for their next encounter. With the atmosphere at the club growing tense, questions will persist over their capacity to overturn their existing woes as they inch closer to the new year's fixtures. Time may be running out for Amorim to implement needed changes and bring results, especially as the gap between them and the Champions League spots seems to be ever-widening.
The team seems headed for more tough days ahead. Can they turn it around and salvage their season? Only time will tell as they prepare for the challenges lying just around the corner.
