Cunha’s Corner Magic Seals the First Goal
Matheus Cunha delivered a pivotal moment for Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday night as his corner kick, untouched by any defender or goalkeeper, found the back of the net against Manchester United’s Andre Onana. The bizarre yet skillful goal broke the deadlock in what was otherwise a scrappy Premier League encounter at Molineux.
Cunha’s ingenuity capitalized on the swirling Boxing Day fog and United’s defensive lapses, leaving Onana visibly frustrated. It was a moment emblematic of United’s struggles, with the visitors failing to mount a meaningful response throughout the match.
Fernandes Sent Off as United’s Struggles Deepen
Manchester United’s captain Bruno Fernandes added to his side’s woes by earning a red card just two minutes into the second half. Already on a yellow from the first half, Fernandes carelessly fouled Nelson Semedo, leaving his team down to 10 men and with an even steeper uphill battle.
United, under the guidance of manager Ruben Amorim, seemed toothless in attack and disorganized at the back. Fernandes’ dismissal marked a turning point, allowing Wolves to dominate possession and maintain control of the game.
Wolves Clinch Victory with Hwang’s Late Strike
Wolves weathered a nervy eight minutes of added time before sealing the victory in style. In the dying moments, Hwang Hee-chan capitalized on a swift counterattack, slotting home the second goal to secure a 2-0 triumph. It was a perfect ending to Vitor Pereira’s first home match as Wolves’ manager, following an initial away win at Leicester City.
United’s Gloom Persists Under Amorim
For United, the loss marked their fourth defeat in five Premier League outings, leaving them languishing in 14th place with 22 points from 18 games. Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag earlier this season, now holds the unfortunate record for the fastest Manchester United manager to lose four Premier League games achieving the dubious feat in just seven matches.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund symbolized United’s lackluster performance, failing to register a single touch inside Wolves’ penalty area before being substituted midway through the second half.
Wolves Climb Out of the Relegation Zone
The victory was crucial for Wolves, lifting them out of the bottom three and into 17th place with 15 points. It also brought joy to their fans, who celebrated Pereira’s promising start with the team. Cunha, undoubtedly the standout player of the match, not only scored the unusual opener but also assisted Hwang’s late goal, capping off a stellar performance.
United’s poor form raises significant questions about their direction under Amorim, with pressure mounting on the Portuguese manager. Meanwhile, Wolves will hope to build on this momentum as they aim to climb further up the table under Pereira’s leadership.
