The Tim Spiers debrief – Manchester United 1 Wolves 1

Not since almost 40 years ago have they been able to match the biggest clubs in the land.

Wow

Almost exactly two years ago Wolves were losing 2-1 at Wigan Athletic on a miserable, wet Tuesday night. They had 34 per cent possession and when boss Walter Zenga looked for inspiration from the bench he found Paul Gladon and Ola John.

Two very quick years later and things couldn't be more different.

It's easy to get caught up in the Premier League hullabaloo and forget just how far Wolves have come in such a short space of time – from losing at Wigan to playing more attractive football than Manchester United on their own turf and claiming a wholly deserved draw.

It comes just weeks after they matched the other Manchester giant at Molineux; proof, not that we needed it, that this is no fluke run of form, they're not one-off results.

Wolves are already making a big impact in this division and you certainly wouldn't bet against them taking a few prize scalps in the months to come.

On another day they'd have won here for the first time since 1980 – the stats will say United edged it but in reality Wolves created the better opportunities and were the only team playing to a coherent game plan with motivated players.

They even earned praise from Jose Mourinho who suggested that his team should have approached the game like Wolves did.

We all knew Wolves would go to Old Trafford and attack, we all knew the occasion wouldn't faze them and we all knew they could give United a proper game playing great football.

But to see it enacted in front of 74,000 people was pretty special.

Courage

Nuno's team didn't look overawed in the opening stages, fashioning three decent opportunities in the opening 17 minutes, but Fred's clinical opening goal did burst their balloon somewhat and they couldn't get going again for the rest of the half.

Teams of lesser character may have folded at this point, or given up the ghost, but Wolves came out with renewed drive and vigour at the start of the second period.

They piled bodies forward, scored a deserved equaliser and then went in search of a winner with the same attacking approach. It took courage.

That unstinting belief that they can win anywhere comes from one man – Nuno. His will to win, his desire and his refusal to treat any opponent differently has clearly transmitted to the players.

The boss doesn't get carried away, he doesn't allow himself to be excited with a win or downbeat after a defeat and that consistent mentality and approach is reflected in his team.

As well as belief, Wolves also showcased their battling qualities here.

You can count on one hand the amount of times we've seen Nuno's Wolves revert to full 'rearguard action' mode, throwing bodies at the ball, whacking it clear and desperately trying not to concede (unforgettable away wins at Middlesbrough and Cardiff spring to mind towards the end of last season but that's about it), however they had to do just that during a frenetic end to the game in which United threw all they had at Patricio's goal.

Two things stood out from their period of play – 1) Patricio wasn't actually forced into making a single save, due to Wolves' rigid shape, army-like discipline and whole-hearted commitment. 2) Wolves actually created the better chances in the closing minutes with Diogo Jota and Adama Traore looking menacing on the counter attack.

It was impressive to see Wolves defend in this way against the likes of Lukaku, Sanchez, Pogba et al.

They've got the quality, the composure and the class, for sure, but they've certainly still got the heart, the spirit, the guts and the courage to back that up.

England expects?

Two players epitomised that courage more than most, namely the colossus that is Ryan Bennett and the leader that is Conor Coady.

It's just a shame Gareth Southgate wasn't watching. The England boss has only watched one Wolves game in the flesh so far this season – the opening-day draw with Everton.

If he was at Old Trafford he'd had seen two defenders who've improved since then, adapting and embracing Premier League life.

Bennett in particular was magnificent and continued his deeply impressive start to the campaign with more clearances and interceptions than anyone on the field.

The 28-year-old has been an unsung hero in this Wolves team but, going back to the start of last season, how many times has he made a mistake that's led to a goal, or a glaring chance?

Strong, no-nonsense and positionally excellent, Bennett has had his doubters (including Nuno judging by the head coach's pre-season team selections) but just keeps on performing week after week, to the extent where an England call-up shouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility if he can keep this form going.

Coady has been on England's radar for a while and with more performances like this he's surely more likely than not to be called up before the end of the season?

As Southgate told the Express & Star in May, he has the characteristics and the personality that they want in the England setup.

Costa Eureka

There were no weaknesses in this team, one that's remained the same for every single league game so far (what a luxury that is for Nuno and barring any injuries it'll be seven in a row this Saturday).

The midfield pairing of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves outshone their prestigious opponents of Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Fred, Rui Patricio made an excellent save to keep the score at 1-0, Willy Boly was commanding, Jonny Castro Otto impressed again, Raul Jimenez led the line superbly and Diogo Jota grew as the game went on to keep United's defenders honest.

But one man perhaps outshone all of the above; Helder Costa was at his explosive best, giving Luke Shaw, arguably United's best player so far this season, a torrid time.

Costa jinked, he darted, he sprinted, he tricked, he ran with the ball at ferocious pace and he had a hand in the goal with a persistent run and a low cross. No wonder Adama Traore can't get in the team.

Fantastic fans

Finally a word for a few thousand fantastic travelling fans who sang their hearts out all afternoon, their voices echoing around an otherwise-silent stadium.

Their repertoire included "Mourinho's right, your fans are s***e" as the home fans started leaving on 80 minutes and "Nuno's the special one" when the United supporters were trudging out the stadium.

They're right, he certainly is.

Final word

Star man: Ryan Bennett

The boss: Jose's pupil is becoming the master

Fans: Loud and so proud

Magic moment: Away from the match, a standing ovation to welcome Sir Alex back to Old Trafford was special.

In a word: Deserved

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