In a gripping match at Old Trafford, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers played to a 1-1 draw on October 5, 2023. After conceding an avoidable goal in the first half, Wolves managed to equalize just before the break, ending an 11-game losing streak.
Wolves found themselves trailing in the 27th minute when a shot from Joshua Zirkzee took a significant deflection off Ladislav Krejci, leaving goalkeeper Jose Sa with no chance. Despite the setback, Wolves regrouped and showcased resilience, with Krejci redeeming himself by scoring from a header just before half-time.
Wolves’ head coach, Matheus Cunha, made two changes to his injury-riddled squad, bringing in Jackson Tchatchoua and Jhon Arias to replace Santi Bueno and the suspended Andre. With limited options, the bench boasted several young talents, including academy players Saheed Olagunju and Ethan Sutherland.
The match commenced with a cautious opening, as Wolves allowed United to hold possession in less threatening areas. The visitors almost conceded again when Benjamin Sesko created a shooting opportunity, but his effort went wide. Wolves, however, demonstrated their attacking prowess with Hwang Hee-chan curling an attempt over the bar after a well-executed play.
The turning point came when Zirkzee capitalized on a miscommunication in the Wolves defense, following a giveaway from Hwang. Despite the early goal, Wolves maintained their composure and responded well. They nearly equalized when Tchatchoua delivered a cross that Tolu Arokodare headed over the bar before Krejci found the net just before the whistle.
The second half began with a tense moment as Sa took too long with the ball, resulting in a corner kick for United. Diogo Dalot narrowly missed giving United a two-goal lead, heading just wide from the set piece. Wolves nearly gifted United a goal when Yerson Mosquera almost scored an own goal, but Sa managed to recover in time.
Wolves had their best opportunity to take the lead in the 64th minute. After a flick-on from Matt Doherty, Krejci’s shot was saved spectacularly by United’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Mosquera then dragged the rebound wide, missing a golden chance to put Wolves ahead.
As the match progressed, United regained control, but Wolves remained a constant threat on the counterattack. Tchatchoua pushed forward, setting up Arias for a shot that was deflected just wide. In a dramatic moment during the dying minutes, Dorgu’s late goal was ruled offside, ensuring the points were shared.
This draw marks an important milestone for Wolves, ending their lengthy losing streak since October 5, 2023. The match reflected both teams’ determination, with Wolves showing resilience under new management and United striving for consistency as they navigate a challenging season. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this result in their upcoming fixtures.
