Manchester United's front line has been poor against Wolves. Manchester United — Wolverhampton Wanderers
No pressure, Rasmus Hoylund. Manchester United's new centre-forward has been sitting in the directors' box, returning to full fitness, with glaring evidence of why the club has invested so much money in him. And why would there be such a high demand for him to show as soon as he starts playing.
So there is no pressure on the 20-year-old Dane, who cost £72m and who, after this lucky win over superb wolves, will be the even more eagerly awaited savior of a club that has a sad recent track record of misfires. 9s. And someone who has never played in the Premier League before.
The pre-match match and Sir Alex Ferguson did well. «If they get a center forward ready quickly, they'll be a really good team,» he said, talking enthusiastically about Erik ten Hag's transformative effect. «Because that's what they really lacked — a centre-forward — in the last few years.»
In fact, since Ferguson unexpectedly poached Robin van Persie from Arsenal and won his United's 13th and final Premier League title, in their last season in 2012-13, United didn't have that real number 9. . Number 9, who looked and played a role.
Sure, they had Wayne Rooney, but his real strength was to work out another forward, and he's been gone for a long time. They have Marcus Rashford leading the line against the Wolves, but his best work comes from the flanks, not from the target through the center. In addition, there was a succession of strikers who were either flattered to cheat, simply weren't good enough or went beyond their best, from Radamel Falcao to Romelu Lukaku to having to take out a temporary player at Wut. Weghorst, who was the greatest accusation of all.
Manchester United lacked a vanguard in the first game of the season in the Premier League. : Reuters/Dylan Martinez
All this time who they wanted, who they really wanted, Harry Kane kept eluding them and when he finally left Tottenham Hotspur he went to Bayern Munich . By then, United had already invested in Høilund. So he must be the one. Then no pressure.
United definitely felt the pressure against Wolves. If they wanted to bare their teeth in the first round of matches, if they wanted to put in a marker after they played last among the Big Six, then that was almost as inefficient as it could be. Instead, the Wolves showed their fangs and still won't believe why they didn't win.
They will be furious that they lost, not least that video assistant referee Michael Salisbury didn't ask referee Simon Hooper to review the Incident when goaltender Andre Onana eliminated Max Kilman in injury time. It should have been a penalty. Instead, new Wolves manager Gary O'Neill was booked for protesting.
Should a penalty be awarded? 😬 pic.twitter.com/U2v3fnHhDM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2023
If this was the game that revealed United's need for a striker, it also showed a big flaw in that it didn't really give him a chance. It was a bad night for the wingers who started, and while the 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho had more of an excuse, it was another unsettling performance from Anthony. Both looked immature. Both looked lost.
“I think we could score with five or six turnovers and there were overloads. The forward line was not in the best shape today and could improve the situation… it will come,” Ten Hag countered when asked about the absence of a threat from his team. It is significant that, despite this, Anthony Martial remained on the bench.
Anthony remains Ten Hag's most expensive signing, but does very little to justify it, and his face was like thunder when he sat on steps behind the coach after being properly replaced. It wasn't until Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho joined United that things changed.
Eriksen replaced Mason Mount and while Ten Hag praised the midfielder's performance, another of his important signings, it was certainly meant to cheer him up rather than accurately assess his performance. He should also get better.
Mason Mount made his competitive debut but wasn't at his best like most of Eric. People of the Ten Witches Photo: Getty Images/Lindsey Parnaby
Mount was not alone. In fact, United's midfield, due to Casemiro's struggles, was overwhelmed by the strength and speed of the Wolves and, in particular, Matheus Cunha, who rushed ahead time after time and left them behind.
Wolves had an advantage. the most shots — 23 — at Old Trafford by an away team since 2005, but somehow Cunha didn't score the most prodigal as he shot from the outside of the post early in the second half. «We had some great chances, but somehow we found a way not to put the ball into the net,» O'Neal said regretfully.
Thus, United depended on a centre-back for a single goal, which was, in fact, their only real chance. And that's just not enough.
VARANA STARTS HOME! ⚡
Manchester United LEADER! These celebrations! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/5IELDe6kRk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL), 14 August 2023
The goal was scored in the middle of the game after Wolves pushed ahead again, United counter-attacked and Bruno Fernandes made a smart pass into the box. Aaron Wan-Bissaka met him and hooked him over the net to send Varane home.
Relief washed over Old Trafford and showed just how badly the team had played up to that point. After the goal became even more desperate, the Wolves tried to strike back. The flaws, despite Ten Hag's positive attitude, were all too obvious. And again it all starts with this screaming need for a centre-forward. The question is, will it be Hoylund?
Lineups — Premier League 23/24 — Manchester United — Wolverhampton Wanderers
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