ethernetacademy.netManchester United earned a hard-fought 1-0 win in their English Premier League (EPL) opener against Wolverhampton. Defender Varane, who was involved in the attack, broke the deadlock midway through the second half. Substitute Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) rattled United with four shots on goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
United won their 2023-24 English Premier League (EPL) first-leg home opener 1-0 against Wolverhampton at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, at 4 a.m. ET on Friday, thanks to an early goal from Varane.
The win marks the second time in two seasons that United has won its EPL opener since the 2021-22 season. However, despite being at home, they were unable to overwhelm their opponents and were significantly out-shot.
Hwang Hee-chan was the first substitute to come on in the 18th minute of the second half and was active in the opposition half. He made his presence felt just four minutes in, threatening the opponent’s goal with a bold mid-range shot. He rattled the United defense with his sharp penetrations and shots on goal, brightening his prospects for the new season.
On the day, United played a 4-1-4-1 with Marcus Rashford up front and Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandez, and Anthony in the second line. Casemiro played in a defensive midfield role, while Luke Shaw, Ricardo Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka lined up on the back line. Andre Onana was in goal.
Wolverhampton countered with a 4-4-2 with Mateusz Cunha and Pablo Sarabia up top. Mateus Nunes and Pedro Neto lined up on either flank, with Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes in the middle. Layan Ait-Nuri, Craig Dawson, Maximilian Kilman, and Nelson Semedo formed the back line, with Jose Sa in goal.
Wolverhampton’s Mateusz Cunha looks on in disappointment.
United took the early initiative, but were unable to create any real chances. Wolverhampton’s solid defense held up well. In fact, it was Wolverhampton who had the decisive chance in the 25th minute. Cunha beat two defenders on the dribble before delivering a penetrating pass to Sarabia, who shot just wide of the post.
Wolverhampton continued to build on their momentum. In the 32nd minute, Cunha took a direct shot at the United goal, this time from Sarabia’s pass, but his effort went just wide of the post. Cornered, United responded five minutes later with a header from Rashford. The United players protested a handball foul on Semedo in the process, but the referee waved it off as a no-foul. At halftime, United held an 8-5 advantage in shots with 61% possession, but the score was 1-0 in shots on target.
At the start of the second half, United made a change, bringing on Victor Lindelof for Lisandro Martinez. It was Wolverhampton who had the first chance of the second half. Nunes broke free on the dribble and played a pass to Sarabia. Sarabia’s cross was met by Neto with the back of his foot and Cunha’s shot hit the post.
An offensive battle ensued. In the seventh minute of the second half, United took the lead when Casemiro’s penetrating pass found Anthony, who tried to get a shot just over the keeper’s height, but a defender cleared it off the line. Three minutes later, it was Cunha again, this time with a right-footed shot that was saved by Onana.
Andre Onana in goal for Manchester United. Photo-Getty Images
Wolverhampton made their first substitution in the 18th minute of the second half, bringing off Sarabia and introducing Hwang Hee-chan. Shortly after his introduction, Hwang was tackled hard by Wan Bissaka, but the referee didn’t even show a yellow card. Hwang grabbed his ankle and complained of pain.
Fortunately, Hwang escaped injury and directly threatened the United goal in the 21st minute of the second half. He cut into the middle from the left flank and beat one defender before firing a right-footed mid-range shot. However, the shot went just wide of the goal. Hwang Hee-chan continued to make his presence felt on the counterattack, adding to the offense.
The balance was only broken in the 31st minute. The hosts took the lead. Fernandez delivered an exquisite roving pass into the box, and Wambisaka’s cross was met by Baran’s header. The defender roared in celebration after his surprise attacking move and header.
With their backs against the wall, Wolverhampton mounted a furious counter-attack, with Hwang Hee-chan’s volley going wide of the post and Silva’s effort being saved by Onana. Wolverhampton’s chances kept coming and coming.메이저사이트
In second-half stoppage time, they continued to attack. However, Hwang Hee-chan’s shot was deflected off Wan-Bissaka’s foot and into the side netting. In the end, the game went into seven minutes of stoppage time and ended with a 1-0 win for United. It was a disappointing defeat for Wolverhampton.