Express & Star

Wolves Fans' Verdict v Man United: A game of two halves

Our fans give their thoughts after Wolves' entertaining 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Molineux.

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Matt Cooper (Talking Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

Wolves didn’t look at the races at all in the first half and United played them off the park. Wolves resorted to playing long ball, bypassing a midfield that ceased to exist for large parts of the first half. The second half was a completely different story after the introduction of Adama Traore. Wolves looked a different beast with him on the pitch and he was the most dangerous player from either side in the second half.

Man of the Match

My man of the match has to be Ruben Neves. As soon as you see that man with the ball on the edge of the box, you’d put your house on him hitting the back of the net and he did just that. This is his year, I’m telling you now.

Something to Improve

Wolves looked very leggy in the first half, especially the likes of Doherty who doesn’t seem fit enough to be playing at the moment. There was no outball in the first half too, with Coady being wasteful on more than one occasion, twinned with a shaky-looking Bennett, the defence needs to improve on their overall game. Vallejo in against Torino and Burnley for me.

Clive Smith

Reaction to the Result

That first half performance is usually reserved for when we play Huddersfield, shocking, and we had to be grateful to be only 0-1. A typical Neves tap-in was the obvious highlight from our fifteen-minute purple patch. To play so poorly, with so little possession, yet still take a point from a top six side, has to be relatively pleasing.

Man of the Match

Another wonder goal from our wonder kid, tireless running from Jimenez and a solid performance from Boly were highlights. It makes a change however to be able to give Patricio the man of the match award.

Something to Improve

Our passing in the first half was unusually poor. Other teams have pressed us high and we have managed to cope, tonight that was not the case, certainly for the first half.

Adam Virgo

Reaction to the Result

Very happy with the point and I think in the end it was deserved. First half we were very poor and United were worthy of their lead at half time but in the second half we looked a different side. The change of Adama made so much difference and the high intensity and press put United under so much pressure. Very unlucky not to equalise through Jimenez but then up steps Neves with an absolute worldie. Big praise to Patricio for a very good penalty save, especially as United were getting back into the game at that point too.

Man of the Match

Could choose a few players here, Joao Moutinho didn’t stop running all game and he put a massive shift in. Adama, Neves and Patricio all had a big impact on the result so you have to mention them. Traore was destroying Luke Shaw all second half and put some fantastic crosses in. Ruben Neves, we all know what he’s capable of but to beat De Gea from that range takes some doing and it was a beautiful strike or “stupendous” as Chris Eubank would say. Patricio stepped up massively when we needed him, I was surprised Rashford didn’t take the penalty but it was still a fabulous save from Pogba who hit the penalty with some venom.

Something to Improve

The second half was exactly what us fans wanted and we can’t have asked for anymore effort than the players gave. However, in the first half we were far too slow and allowed United to play in our half which eventually resulted in them taking the lead. Whenever we had the ball in the first half there wasn’t much intensity and everything just felt too slow but Nuno clearly said what he needed to at half time and we came out in the second half completely different. The sub of Adama changed the game and he’s got to be pushing for a start in that RWB position now.

Rob Cartwright

Reaction to the Result

I thought it was a great game with an atmosphere to match it, under the lights at Molineux. A game of two halves in many respects, with Man Utd well on top in the first and Wolves gaining the advantage in the second. It really could have gone either way. Both goals were special, even though VAR did its best to spoil the party once more. A draw was a fair result, with both teams having a chance to steal victory, so I’m happy overall.

Man of the Match

Wolves were out of sorts in the first half, but one man kept composed while all around were losing theirs – Joao Moutinho covered every blade of grass, trying to link up play and showed superb positional sense to keep Utd at bay. He maintained this level during the second half and gets my Man of the Match. Special mention to Adama Traore who was the Game Changer. Introduced at half time and got Utd on the back foot with his best display for Wolves. This helped Wolves get on top in the second and his ball work and runs were excellent.

Something to Improve

I feel we (often) sit back too much in the first half of games, allowing the opposition to come onto us and take the greater possession. We kept great shape last night, but I would like to see us play with greater pace about 20 yards further up the pitch. It’s a good job our defence is so solid as a unit to keep the opposition out.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

So, 1-0 down to a much-improved and in your face Man United than last season, whilst we were off the pace somewhat, the pressure was on Nuno to turn it around and boy did he deliver! A more up-tempo second half performance with the team playing 10 yards further forward brought us a great Raul header that struck the post and a Neves special to seal a point.

Man of the Match

Adama Traore changed the game and it was possibly the most attacking wing-back performance of all time as I can't remember him staying back into our own area! Scared United to death and put in some decent crosses.

Something to Improve

Just to be a bit sharper, quicker with better passes – only small measures but the difference is huge. A good point all round though.