Premier League analysis: Five talking points from Wolves vs Man Utd
Winless Wolves were defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday, December 8.
Starman Bruno Fernandes picked up two goals and an assist, while Bryan Mbeumo ended his recent goalscoring drought.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Tom Gardiner looks at five talking points from the game.
Fosun protest
Wolves fans were encouraged to boycott the first 15 minutes of the match against United to protest against Fosun Sports’ running of the club.
Half of Molineux’s South Bank stand was empty during the opening quarter of an hour.
Fosun is a Chinese multi-national conglomerate who acquired the club in 2016.
The group have no intention of selling the club, despite holding talks with Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor in the summer.
Fans have been enraged by the running of the club in recent years, with numerous star players leaving without adequate replacements.
Wolves have been winless all season, losing 12 of their 14 league matches.
Monday’s defeat confirmed they will be bottom of the division over Christmas.
An eighth-straight defeat equals the club record, set back in 1981-82.
A trip to leaders Arsenal on Saturday leaves the makings of unwanted history almost inevitable.
READ MORE: Wolves vs Man Utd 1-4: Ruben Amorim’s men survive the calamity button at Wolves
Withering Wolves
Rob Edwards may be regretting his decision to swap high-flying second-tier Middlesbrough for a Wolves side who are about as rock bottom as it gets.
The collective expression on faces at Molineux told a bleak story, they know exactly what is coming in May.
The last Premier League win those fans celebrated was 227 days ago, a 3-0 victory against Leicester City.
At least they had a goal to celebrate on Monday though.
The last time they found the net was Marshall Munetsi’s effort against 19th-placed Burnley, 43 days ago.
The last hope this season for Wolves is solely the aim of not being the worst PL side in history.
Derby County’s torrid tally of 11 points in 2007/08 looms over them, but current projection will see Edwards’ side amass just five points, less than half of Derby’s ridiculed record.
United’s free hit
Within the last three matches, United suffered a home defeat to 10-man Everton and a 1-1 draw against 18th-placed West Ham.
A ‘free hit’ was needed, and to United’s glee, a trip to the Black Country was on the horizon.
This fixture represented a suitable opportunity to regain confidence to potentially kickstart a strong vein of form.
That’s exactly what United did.
Scoring four goals away from home doesn’t happen every match, and skipper Bruno Fernandes finding the net twice will be a welcomed sight for manager Ruben Amorim.
The other scorers were Bryan Mbeumo, who is a mainstay in the United XI, and Mason Mount, who is still yet to stamp his authority on a position in the team.
Conceding before half-time gave Wolves a fleeting feeling of hope, only to be cancelled out by United’s second-half onslaught, where they totally dominated proceedings.
Bournemouth will provide a sterner test next Monday, however they themselves are winless in six PL matches.
United face Wolves again on December 30, and will be hoping to round off an otherwise miserable calendar year with another three points.
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AFCON absences
Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui have all earned and kept their places in the first 11 since the beginning of the campaign.
The trio make up United’s first choice right-hand flank, and their absences will be felt in January when they jet off for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mbeumo will represent Cameroon, Amad plays for Ivory Coast and Mazraoui has been selected for host nation Morocco's squad.
Amorim will have a selection headache replacing his right side, but opportunities may be afforded to Diogo Dalot at wing back, Harry Maguire in defense and Benjamin Sesko at the top of the pitch.
However, a positional re-jig may prove costly for a United side who are beginning to establish their strongest 11.
Amorim will be hoping his players impress on the international stage, but most importantly return to Old Trafford in one piece.
Bruno back in the goals
Captain Fernandes ended a nine-game goal drought against Wolves, with a brace he probably won’t remember come the end of his career.
His first goal opened the evening’s scoring, which was about as scrappy as it could conceivably be.
Matheus Cunha latched onto Andre’s misplaced back pass, and assisted Fernandes with a poorly timed pass.
The Portuguese midfielder slipped as he retrieved the ball, before scuffing a deflected finish past the grasp of keeper Sam Johnstone.
His second put the game to bed and sealed the deal for the visitors.
Yerson Mosquera was judged by VAR to have handled the ball in the box, giving Bruno the chance to net from the spot.
As ever, United’s number eight scored from 12 yards, although this was never in doubt.
He has scored 24 of the 30 times he has taken penalties for United, a rate of 80%.
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