Wolves Fans' Verdict v Manchester United: Opportunity missed

Clive Smith

Reaction to the Result

For such an open game you would have expected more goals. However, we were wasteful in the final third, while Ruddy was in excellent form to keep United out. Both defences struggled with the opposition's pace in attack. We were far from our best with Jimenez and Doherty barely able to even go through the motions. Can't help thinking the fresher Wolves of six weeks ago would have won this game comfortably.

Man of the Match

Ruddy has to take the plaudits and MOTM. He proved he is still a very competent back-up. Neto and Traore ran and ran but both were guilty of wasting several goalscoring opportunities.

Something to Improve

I guess the consolation prize is a free weekend before we are next at Old Trafford for more 'football in a library'. The starting eleven virtually picked itself and the potential from the bench was close to non-existent. It's hard not to think we have shot ourselves in the foot getting into this position.

Rob Cartwright

Reaction to the Result

Same old. Another big game, another dubious handball spotted by no-one inside the stadium but considered sufficient by those in Stockley Park. Another goal ruled out, spoiling the game and spoiling the enjoyment and the emotion which is why we go in the first place. I know VAR is only enforcing the rules of the game, but this new handball rule stinks! It was impossible to enjoy the rest of the game and the longer it went on, the more it looked like a 1-0 result would settle the tie.

Man of the Match

Ruddy was back to his best, with two good saves in the first half and safe hands throughout. The defence had a shocker for their goal, when we opened up for Mata to run through with all the time in the world to pick his spot. Traore looked dangerous, but once more we didn’t get the ball to him enough. My man of the match was Neto. How this young lad keeps going I don’t know. He’s ‘scored’ two wonderful goals at Anfield and Old Trafford of all places, only to see them wiped off following celebration. Last season and in the previous 132 years both goals would have stood. The game has gone!

Something to Improve

The ‘goal’ would have changed the game, no doubt. We more than matched Man Utd on their own patch. My frustration with our tactics is the balance between defence and attack. We put so much emphasis on keeping a clean sheet that our forwards become isolated with little support from midfield. It isn’t working, as we don’t keep clean sheets often. The issue now is we are not scoring too often either. The midfield play deep and are not quick enough to get into the opposition danger areas when needed. The front three are all quick, so we need to get Traore on the ball. Neto had space down the right side, as Man Utd were paying so much attention to Traore it was giving him room. It is clear that we need Boly and a Jota back now, together with 2 or 3 first team ready players coming in. Onto Southampton now. The in-form team and another hard game is in store.

Russ Evers (Hatherton Wolves)

Reaction to the Result

Disappointing goes nowhere near. Man United – the empire in decline – were there for the taking and it is a measure of both how far we have come and how far they have fallen that it is almost embarrassing to lose to these lot. We had the chances in the first half but ultimately a little bit of naivety cost us.

Man of the Match

Several including Ruddy but – and this is a common thread of late – nobody stood out.

Something to Improve

Finishing yet again and a bit of old-fashioned bottle.