English juggernaut Manchester United has already been graced with the rub of the green in the 2023-24 Premier League season at the first time of asking when the Red Devils were lucky to come away with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Gary O’Neil’s Wolves.
Despite being in front of home support at the Theatre of Dreams, Wolves sliced through United time and again in on the counter only to squander chance after chance before the magic of United’s home ground took hold in the 76th minute via Raphaël Varane’s header to put the club 1-0 up.
But then controversy struck in stunning fashion when Wolves were unjustly denied a penalty shout and a chance to draw level after debutant goalkeeper André Onana misjudged a ball into the box before clattering into Craig Dawson and Saša Kalajdžić but initially was judged to have committed no offense. The immediate inquest from PMGOL ultimately fielded an apology to Wolves boss Gary O’Neil no less than two hours after the full-time whistle after it was ruled the wrong decision was made, gifting United three points they may not have taken away.
Though Erik ten Hag stated he was pleased with the result, the Dutch tactician has a ton of work ahead of him if he is to get the club on firmer ground in the early doors of the current campaign, with United’s midfield being tepid at best given how easy Wolves galavanted there way through the lines. Against a Spurs outfit with far better quality in forward areas, Ten Hag will hope that the weaknesses laid bare on Monday night will be arrested if they are to get full points away from home at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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Erik ten Hag will face the same selections as he did last weekend, with one additional concern surrounding star defender Lisandro Martínez, who was removed at half-time against Wolves and is now a possible injury doubt for the fixture against Spurs on Saturday. Should he not pass fit, Swedish international Victor Lindelöf will replace him alongside Raphaël Varane.
As for the rest, Tyrell Malacia, Rasmus Højlund, Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Tom Heaton are all laid up in dry dock, with United supporters still having to wait to see their new young striker given his debut after Højlund’s arrival from Atalanta Bergamasca.
