Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance73,363.
Highlights and report as Bruno Fernandes starts on debut but Manchester United struggle to break down Wolves
Sunday 2 February 2020 11:12, UK
Manchester United are now three without a win in the Premier League as they drew 0-0 with Wolves in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes' debut was the only source of excitement at Old Trafford, with chances at a minimum for both sides, though David de Gea was forced into saves by Matt Doherty and Raul Jimenez in either half.
United came closest through Juan Mata, who struck wide from the edge, while Rui Patricio saved from sub Mason Greenwood's double-deflected effort and Diogo Dalot headed inches wide in stoppage time.
But that's as good as it got for the hosts, who looked in desperate need of their upcoming winter break, having not scored in three Premier League games.
The result means sixth-place United missed the chance to close the gap on fourth-place Chelsea, which remains at six points, while Wolves are level on points, a place behind in seventh.
There was some much-needed excitement around Old Trafford before the game as new midfield signing Fernandes was handed a debut, but the first half brought the home fans back down to earth.
Listless and largely second best, United were restricted to shots from distance as Wolves defended deep and looked for the effective out-ball in Adama Traore and Jimenez.
Wolves came closest - Doherty's looping header from a corner forced De Gea to scramble back and punch clear, and Traore lashed wide from 20 yards - as the first half ended goalless.
The start of the second half brought more of the same as Diogo Jota piled his way through a clumsy United defence, but fell at the last hurdle in front of goal under pressure from Harry Maguire.
Fernandes' well-struck dipping free-kick from 30 yards was watched by compatriot Rui Patricio, before Mata wriggled to find a yard on the edge, lashing just wide of Wolves' left-hand post.
Jimenez stung the hands of De Gea on the goalkeeper's 300th Premier League appearance, tipping over from an angle on the right of the box, while the planned 68th-minute walkout in protest against the United board was small to non-existent.
Sub Greenwood saw a shot take two deflections and nearly wrongfoot Rui Patricio, only for the Wolves stopper to gratefully gather, while Maguire nearly forced home a late winner, but did not connect with his effort on the stretch at close range amid chaos in the Wolves box.
United thought they had won it in stoppage time, but sub Dalot nodded a header just wide from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Much like the planned protests at Old Trafford, nothing much happened for United, as Wolves' game-plan to sit deeper worked a treat.
Sky Sports' Gary Neville speaking on Saturday Night Football...
"I think Manchester United need to regroup during their winter break. It's been a tough time for them in this last month or so and they need to get away, have a break and get ready for the Chelsea game.
"It's a pivotal game in their season. If Manchester United win that game they're back in business, if they lose they're in trouble in terms of qualifying for the Champions League and they'll maybe start to focus on the Europa League as their only realistic chance of getting into it.
"Not just the players, the coaching staff have taken a real battering over the last couple of months. They're so inconsistent and with that comes a lot of pressure. I sense the first week off will be about rest and recuperation and the second will be really focusing on that Chelsea game."
On the back of a stalemate including precious little quality in the final third from Manchester United, and with Ighalo their only out-and-out striker through the door in January, Neville also lamented his old side's recruitment in forward areas in recent years.
"You can go back to Falcao, Di Maria, other players, Depay was young at the time, but players they've signed in forward areas on the pitch haven't been good enough," he said.
"You look at what Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham have done, and compare it to what Manchester United have done. If the recruitment is wrong you ultimately end up paying for it."
Analysis by Sky Sports' Nick Wright
"Bruno, Bruno, Bruno," came the chant from the Manchester United fans in the stands. The game had not even begun but the mere mention of their new signing's name from the stadium announcer was enough to get the crowd going. All eyes were on Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old had only taken part in one training session with his new team-mates following his £68m arrival from Sporting Lisbon on Thursday. But it is a testament to how much this Manchester United side needs him that he went straight into the starting line-up against Wolves.
In the end, his debut became another game in which Manchester United have failed to find a way to beat a well-organised opponent. There can be no instant fixes to their long-standing issues. But Fernandes did at least provide glimpses of how he might help them in the future.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "We dominated the game, we had loads of possession. They were giving us problems on the counter-attack and set-plays.
"We played so many games over the last two months - the players are down to the bare bones really, their energy levels are down and they need a break.
"You can see he (Fernandes) is a top player, it's his first game. Bruno is one of those players, when he gets ball into feet, he wants players moving in front of him, which we didn't have, so we moved him further back to get on the ball more.
"He'll be a top, top addition."
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "I think it was a good game. It was intense. There was a spell in the second half where Manchester United dominated and created problems but we also created chances. The boys worked very hard and I'm happy.
"In the first half it was clear that our idea was to control the middle of the pitch and we had a lot of counter-attacks. It was a balanced game.
"The clean sheet was important for us and when you have to defend you always appreciate it. Now we must make the next step."
After their winter break, Manchester United go to Chelsea on Monday Night Football on February 17, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Wolves' winter break is slightly shorter, and they host Leicester on Friday Night Football on February 14, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 8pm.
