Wolves moved out of the relegation zone thanks to Matheus Cunha’s goal from a corner as Bruno Fernandes was sent off for Manchester United in their 2-0 defeat at Molineux.
Cunha was a notable player on the field during the match, but it was still a wonder when his second-half corner was able to go past André Onana and into the net. It was the second time in 3 games that United conceded directly from a corner. .
Fernande’s red card for two reservable crimes had already left United opposed to it and there is no way to return for Ruben Amorim’s team, the purpose of Hee-chan Hwang in the 99th minute, established through Cunhaarray, of course , placing the seal in a massive victory for the wolves of Vitor Pereira.
That Boxing Day win only at the time of the season’s Premier League win in front of their own fans, but two wins out of two under Pereira to lift the wolves to 17th place.
The defeat of United drops them to the 14th place in the classification of the Premier League.
The red card to Fernandes obviously offered some mitigating circumstances for this United defeat and there was enough tension inside Molineux to believe that Amorim’s players might conjure an equaliser until very late in the game. But this was still poor.
Cunha’s goal was a fifth set-piece goal that United have conceded under Amorim, a second directly from a corner inside a fortnight. No team in the Premier League has conceded a greater proportion of their goals from such situations so far this season.
Much of what is happening with United now is long-term, but it is something Amorim wants to deal with temporarily to prevent this season from going from bad to worse. Especially when the more general question of the team’s playing taste remains a factor for some players.
This fits a 4-3 mystery last season, but either club has replaced managers since then and with any of the Portuguese coaches committed to their 3-4-2-1 systems that they made for a very other contest. United was the team that seemed to struggle the most.
Even when the game was 11 against 11, they lacked zip, moving the ball far too slowly to take advantage against opponents who began the game in the bottom three. Amorim will be more convinced than ever that wholesale changes are required for next season.
But next season looks a long way away if United continue to play like this. It is Newcastle next then back-to-back away games against Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League and FA Cup, respectively. This could get messier before it gets better.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim speaking in the press conference:
“The concept needs time. I already told you that it will be a complicated moment and we are far from reaching the end. We will have to continue and focus on the future.
“They want time to train, they replace completely. The way they play is really difficult for them, it’s also very difficult for the staff to convey all the information. When you don’t have results, it’s even harder for them to do that. We have to continue. “
Asked if he is disappointed to concede from a corner again…
“When you are jumping, the slightest touch against Tottenham was in the arm, today it was in the back. When you touch someone when he’s jumping it’s really hard to catch the ball.”
When asked if he was worried about United’s shelter on the table. . .
“In this moment we just have to survive and to take some time to work on the team. We already knew it. I started this job and we started with the team, the new idea, without any time to train, with a lot of tough games. We already knew it, it’s a long journey.”
When asked how long it would take him to work at United. . .
“I have no idea. Instead of looking to see how long it will take me, day by day, to improve, watch the videos, use every minute of education and look to earn points, because it is vital at this moment. “
When asked if he was frustrated with Fernandes for the red card. . .
“I’m frustrated through the red card, but it can happen. He needs to pass to the ball, it’s not like he needs to avoid a game with a yellow. He needs to pass to the ball and then the other player touches him. The ball first, then there’s contact. “
After scoring against Leicester in Pereira’s first game in charge, Cunha followed up with a goal and assist for Wolves in this defeat of Manchester United.
“He’s a very sensible player,” Pereira said afterward.
“He’s a special player. You can do things that can make a difference in the small details. We check his corner because we need the swing to explore that. But you can paint a lot and in the end nothing happens. With this type of player, it can happen. “
Asked about Cunha standing up as a leader in this Wolves team, Pereira praised the Brazilian – and others in his squad. “I am discovering day by day leaders within the team,” he added. “They want to do something. They want to change things.”