Cunha’s Corner Sparks Wolves’ Victory Against Manchester United

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a vital 2-0 victory over a struggling Manchester United at Molineux, marking Vítor Pereira’s second consecutive win since taking charge of the Old Gold.

This result ended a four-match head-to-head and losing streak against the Red Devils at home but also displayed the growing concerns for United, who now find themselves perilously close to the Premier League relegation zone, sitting in 14th place.

A Tactical Standoff

The first half of the match was a tactical battle, with both managers opting for similar formations that largely nullified each other’s attacking threats.

The Portuguese managers, Pereira and United’s Ruben Amorim had both faced heavy defeats just before Christmas, and it was evident that neither wanted to repeat such performances. The first half was characterized by a lack of clear-cut chances, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm.

Wolves’ Matheus Cunha stood out with his creativity, while Diogo Dalot and Gonçalo Guedes both failed to trouble the opposition goalkeeper with their long-range efforts. Jørgen Strand Larsen and Lisandro Martínez came close with headers, but neither side could find the breakthrough before halftime.

Wolves Take Control

The second half began dramatically for Manchester United, as Bruno Fernandes received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Nélson Semedo just two minutes after the restart. This dismissal left United with ten men and handed Wolves a significant advantage.

With the numerical superiority, the Wolves quickly went on the offensive. Although Larsen had a header disallowed for offside shortly after Fernandes’ red card, the home side did not have to wait long to find the back of the net.

On the hour mark, Cunha delivered a devastating inswinging corner that evaded everyone, including United goalkeeper André Onana, and nestled into the net. This bizarre goal marked the second time in three matches that United had conceded directly from a corner, raising concerns about their defensive organization.

United’s Struggles Continue

Despite being a man down, Manchester United tried to respond. Substitutes Casemiro, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho all had half-chances as they sought an equalizer.

However, their efforts were undermined by a persistent lack of attacking threat, a theme that has plagued their season. Wolves’ solid defensive performance, particularly in light of their struggles at home earlier in the campaign, was commendable.

As the match drew to a close, Wolves sealed their victory with a late goal from Hwang Hee-chan, who capitalized on a swift counter-attack. This goal confirmed the three points for Wolves and also showed United’s ongoing issues in both defense and attack.

A New Dawn for Wolves

This victory was significant for Wolverhampton Wanderers, who secured back-to-back league clean sheets for the first time since January.

Pereira’s arrival seems to have instilled a newfound confidence within the squad, and they have now climbed out of the relegation zone, showcasing their potential to turn their season around.

The fact that Pereira is the first Wolves manager to win his first two games in charge in the top flight since the 1970s adds to the optimism surrounding the club.