Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a much-needed 2-0 victory against Manchester United at Molineux Stadium, placing the struggling home side out of the relegation zone and solidifying the positive start under new manager Vitor Pereira.
The match's turning point came just after halftime when United's captain Bruno Fernandes received his second yellow card for a late challenge, putting the Red Devils at a numerical disadvantage. Following the dismissal, Wolves seized the opportunity, and Matheus Cunha made history by scoring directly from a corner—a feat not seen since Spurs' Son Heung-min did the same against Manchester United just one week prior.
Wolves were energetic right from the start, demonstrating greater initiative before the interval, though neither side managed to find the net. Fernandes did have United's only early chance, but it was Wolves who consistently looked more threatening, especially through Cunha. Despite United’s attempts, including headers from Lisandro Martínez and Gonçalo Guedes, it was Cunha's dexterous delivery from the corner flag, which sailed past goalkeeper André Onana and crept inside the far post, putting the home side up 1-0.
"I feel so happy. Vitor came with a lot of energy and we feel this. We come together, we suffer together, we score together. It means a lot, and you can see how happy the fans are at the stadium," Cunha shared post-match, reflecting on the team's unity as they combat their challenging season.
Just when it seemed United might rally for an equalizer, Wolves leveraged their advantage effectively. They doubled their score deep in stoppage time when Cunha broke downfield, squared the ball to Hwang Hee-chan, who swiftly leveled the shot home, sealing the victory at 2-0. This result not only marked Wolves' first home win over Manchester United since 2019 but also showcased Cunha’s dual threat as both scorer and playmaker.
Wolves’ new approach under Pereira has yielded early success, claiming six points from two matches since his appointment, which the club hasn’t witnessed since the 1970s. He emphasized the importance of players showing mental resilience throughout the match, saying, "I think we have good players with quality; it was just missing a mental click to play. The commitment today and the supporters with us was something special.”
Conversely, Manchester United's woes continued, marking their fourth defeat in five matches, raising pressing questions about their defensive set-piece strategies. The frailty evident during the game highlights persistent defensive issues—United has now conceded more goals directly from set-pieces than any other team this season. The loss leaves them scratching their heads as they prepare for upcoming clashes against Newcastle and Liverpool.
Responding to the match, United manager Ruben Amorim mentioned, "It was hard for us... set-pieces change the game. We controlled the match for 45 minutes, then the sending off made everything harder for us." This sentiment captures the confusion and frustration within the squad amid mounting disappointment and expectations from fans.
These circumstances raise the stakes significantly for United moving forward. With conversations now swirling around personnel decisions and tactical formations, the road to recovery appears challenging. The forthcoming fixtures against formidable opponents such as Newcastle will not allow for slip-ups, as they continue to find their footing in this highly competitive Premier League season.
From the first whistle to the final goal, this match served as both a cathartic victory for Wolves and another bitter pill for Manchester United. With Cunha's star rising and Pereira’s tactics bearing fruit, the coming weeks will be telling for both teams. How they respond to these results may very well dictate their fates as the league progresses.
