Four things we learnt as Man United fall to 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers | OneFootball

Manchester United travelled to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers today, hoping to get back to winning ways after two straight defeats.

Andre Onana took up his usual place between the sticks with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro forming the back three.

Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot started as the wingbacks. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte were Ruben Amorim’s chosen midfield pair again.

Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes started as the two number tens whilst Rasmus Hojlund was brought back into the team after dropping to the bench last time out.

Here are four things we learnt from the Boxing Day match.

Manuel Ugarte continues to impress

Whilst United failed to lay much of a glove on Wolverhampton in the first half, Ugarte continued to impress in the middle of the park.

He applied his usual boundless energy and made numerous tackles and interceptions.

The Uruguayan also showed a couple of nice touches to get out of trouble and square the ball to a teammate.

The 23 year old will never be a passing sensation but he is proving time and time again that he deserves to be given a significant run in the team as he brings the intensity that Amorim demands.

Whichever striker United play they struggle

There is a constant debate between United fans which striker should start, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dane has won out most times but once again, he failed to make any real impression on the game.

Hojlund clearly has a lot of talent but he needs to find a way to get himself into games as he currently does not have the luxury to have chance after chance created for him.

Nonetheless, while it is easy to blame the 21 year old, it is hardly like Zirkzee gets himself any more involved in the games on a regular basis.

There is much talk that United want to spend big on a centre forward like Victor Osimhen or Viktor Gyokeres but they also need to find a way to get their number nines involved in the game.

Bruno Fernandes’ ill-discipline costs United again

Fernandes did not have the best start to the season, being sent off twice in a week versus Tottenham Hotspur and Porto earlier in the campaign.

He had turned a corner when Ruud van Nistelrooy took over from Erik ten Hag but has slowed down a bit under Ruben Amorim.

Disaster struck in this game when he was sent off early in the second half through ill-discipline.

The United captain could perhaps consider himself unlucky to have been sent off after two fouls but it was a stupid tackle to make in the context of already being on a yellow.

Fernandes’ passion has been one of his most attractive qualities during his time at Old Trafford, but his poor discipline under pressure has given his critics significant ammunition once again.

Set piece problems show no sign of ending

United were once again undone by a set piece and unbelievably conceded another goal direct from a corner.

The Red Devils have now conceded 10 goals from set pieces all season and the problem doesn’t seem to be getting any better.

Just like Altay Bayindir against Tottenham Hotspur a few days ago, Onana was flustered by minimal pressure from the opposition and the ball swung into the back of the net.

Ruben Amorim can point to the fact that his team have barely had any time on the training pitch to rectify these problems, but if anything, they have got worse under his management. He has taken responsibility for the issue but fans will want to see actions rather than words.

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