By Opta Analyst | Created at 2024-12-26 19:32:33 | Updated at 2025-01-04 09:28:55
1 week ago
Vitor Pereira made it two wins from two as Wolverhampton Wanderers enjoy victory over 10-man Manchester United at Molineux. Re-live the action with the best facts and Opta data in our Wolves vs Man Utd stats page.
Vitor Pereira enjoyed a second win inside a week as Wolves manager as his side enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Boxing Day. The new boss has already equalled the tally of wins collected by predecessor Gary O’Neil in the competition across 2024-25, despite only taking charge for the first time in the victory over Leicester on 22 December.
Matheus Cunha was once again the hero, scoring a direct from a corner kick just 11 minutes after Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second yellow card. He then added an assist for Hwang Hee-Chan deep into injury time.
After an uneventful first half, it took just 83 seconds into the second period for the game to ignite.
Fernandes was given a second caution for his foul on fellow Portuguese midfielder Nélson Semedo to receive his third red card in 27 competitive appearances across 2024-25 already. Across his 233 games as a Manchester United player before this season, Fernandes wasn’t given a single red card, while he becomes the first United player to be sent off three times in a season in all competitions since Nemanja Vidic in 2008-09.
Wolves almost capitalised within a minute of his dismissal, but Jørgen Strand Larsen powerful header was ruled out for offside. They wouldn’t have to wait long for a legitimate goal, however.
Cunha’s inswinging corner evaded a poor attempt at a punch from under-pressure Man Utd goalkeeper André Onana and floated over his head directly into the back of the net. It was the ninth Premier League goal that United have conceded from a corner situation in 2024-25 – no team have conceded more.
With United looking for a late equaliser, Wolves were able to break away and add a second in the 99th minute. Cunha was sent clear just inside the United half before he squared for Hwang Hee-Chan to score his first Premier League goal of the season and seal an excellent victory.
Wolves’ win sees them move out of the relegation zone ahead of the late Boxing Day kick-off at Anfield between Liverpool and Leicester. For Man Utd, their misery continues. That’s now five defeats in their last seven competitive games, including the last three in a row. Ruben Amorim will hope for a reaction when the Red Devils face Newcastle in their final game of 2024 next Monday.
Our Opta match centre delivers you all the Wolves vs Man Utd stats from their Premier League meeting at Molineux on Boxing Day.
The match centre below includes team and player stats, expected goals data, passing networks, an Opta chalkboard and more. It gives you everything you need to do your own post-match analysis.
Underneath the match centre you can find the official Opta facts on the game as well.
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