Key events
Thanks for joining me.
Here is Ben Fisher’s report from the big one.
Ruben Amorim: “I think we started really well, we scored the goal and let Wolfes back in. We suffered late in the first half. In the second half we showed quality and Wolves are in a difficult moment, so it was a good game.
“We are creating more chances and scoring more goals compared to last season.
“They have the quality to do that, change positions, especially if you play Cunha, who moves more than a normal No 9.
“I really enjoyed the way we played the second half.”
Mason Mount: “It was an important win for us. First half we let them back in. We went frustrated and disappointed, the manager had a few things to say. We needed to attack with purpose. Overall very happy.
“Attacking with freedom, some of the combinations were crisp and sharp. It is about us creating as many chances as we can as forward players.
“As a team we are definitely improving and we need to keep winning games.
“It’s good to be back out there, feeling good at the moment.”
Ben Fisher was at Molineux for the full 101 minutes of football.
Burton beat Brackley in the FA Cup, just in case you were wondering.
Richard emails: “I guess that as undignified as it is, with the table being so close for a change, goal difference might make the difference between a Europe and not-Europe position? That’s just devil’s advocacy btw – I agree that it doesn’t look very nice.”
Aye, no one cared there tonight.
Wolves have two points and will be bottom at Christmas. What a dreadful start to the season.
Boos greet the hilariously delayed full-time whistle.
United will be desperate that United’s front three and Fernandes can continue with this sort of performance.
Full time! Wolves 1-4 Man United
United move up to sixth after a dominant second half performance. Wolves, on the other hand, are rock bottom having now gone 15 games without a win.
90+7 mins: Zirkzee is booked for an indiscretion. These extra minutes have cost him a few quid.
The Wolves fans are cheering every touch.
90+5 mins: We are still going and no one really knows why.
Lopez whacks a shot over from 20 yards to give the fans something to cheer. Not many are left, mind.
Mount is given the man of the match award.
90+4 mins: “Was there something going on between a couple of United players during the celebrations after that penalty?” asks Bill Muskett. “I thought I caught something in the corner of the screen.”
I did see this interaction between Martinez and Amad, so did a quick rewind. It looked lighthearted and good-natured.
90+2 mins: I am of the opinion that when a side has a three goal lead, the opponent should be asked if they want any time added on.
90+2 mins: The Wolves fans are singing for the final whistle to be blown.
90+1 mins: The match officials are taking the mick here. Why would anyone want a further nine minutes of this? I can’t even remember any delays?
90 mins: Nine minutes added on. WHY?!
88 mins: United are doing their best to make sure Wolves do not touch the ball before the final whistle. The visitors are knocking the ball around with ease, while the remaining home supporters file out.
86 mins: Things have clicked in the final third in this half for United. Naturally, the opposition will be considered but the front three – and Fernandes behind – seem to be on the same wavelength.
Tchatchoua on for Hoever.
Matt Sutton gets in touch: “Emailing to say I don’t understand the argument that Michael, and many others are making. How can you claim Amorim should be sacked for playing Fernandes in central midfield, when he’s been the best player on the pitch, in that position? He’s having, statistically, one of his best seasons and, crucially, playing him there has allowed space for Cunha and Mbeumo behind the striker – both of whom are having good seasons themselves.”
84 mins: United have been the far better side this half. Wolves are just lacking in any level of quality.
Instead of a debut for Lacey, we get Zirkzee and Dorgu coming on. Dalot and Mount off.
“The first one was more a penalty than this one. What a mess,” suggests Tim Stappard.
GOAL! Wolves 1-4 Man United (Fernandes, pen, 82)
The captain finds the bottom corner.
81 mins: Michael Salisbury says it is a “deliberate handball” but that looks like nonsense.
80 mins: PENALTY! We are having an on-field review for this. It is Amad’s shot that hits him on his elbow it looks like he is trying to get his arm out of the way but the officials seem to think he is moving it in the way.
79 mins: Mainoo gets one of the biggest cheers of the night when it comes on. He is in the box to attack a Fernandes corner, which finds Amad at the back post, from where he has two shots in quick succession, both being blocked. VAR is checking for a handball …
78 mins: United have a free-kick right on the edge of the box after a foul on Mount. Fernandes looks most eager of the five around the ball, but he clips is just over via a deflection off the wall.
Mainoo is coming on for Casemiro.
76 mins: United break once more, Fernandes tries to pick out a marauding Amad but Johnstone comes to claim.
If Amorim wants a PR win, this would be a good time to bring on Shea Lacey for his debut.
74 mins: Cunha has had eight shots in the match! That is the second most of any single player in a Premier League match.
72 mins: A nice moment for former Rochdale man Mane to get come up against United, having moved to Manchester as a youngster.
“Bruno Fernandes showing why Amorim needs to play him as a number 10,” says Michael. “Turning down $100m+ from Saudi Arabia for and then playing him in central defensive midfielder is the sort of thing that should cost someone their job.”
70: I suspect plenty of Wolves fans will miss the final 15 minutes of the match too at this rate. United are completely on top and Wolves do not have the answers.
Wolves send on Mane, Arokodare and Hugo Bueno on Toti, Strand Larsen, Arias off. The removal of Strand Larsen is greeted with applause. The poor lad can’t do much with no service, not that he did much otherwise.
United send on Yoro and Martinez on, Mazraoui and Heaven off.
67 mins: Almost a fourth as Mount finds Fernandes in space, the captain tries to pick out Cunha for a tap in but Agbadou intervenes.
And again … Fernandes lifts a cross in this time, again with Cunha as the target but his diving header is well stopped by Johnstone.
Wolves look cooked.
65 mins: That really must be game over and an eighth straight defeat for Wolves. If United throw this away, they might as well pack up and take up croquet instead.
An Andre free-kick causes some concern in the box but Mazraoui gets it back to the goalkeeper.
GOAL! Fernandes sees a goalbound shot blocked on the egde of the six-yard box, but the captain recovers, wanders out of the box to retrieve the ball. He chips a cross into the box and Mount calmly volleys home from close range.
GOAL! Wolves 1-3 Man United (Mount, 62)
Something like that will help.
61 mins: United really need to show they can turn the screw when in the lead. They let things slip in the first half and cannot afford to do so again. This Wolves team are not very good and if United have anything about them, they should be able to prove it.
59 mins: Mosquera winds up again but the ball is headed straight back to him, forcing him to cross which he does with the grace of a centre-back.
57 mins: Shaw puts United under pressure with some loose play on the edge of his own box. Fer Lopez nips in but Heaven is there to clean up.
Mosquera lobs a long throw into the United box … there is some lighthearted pinball but United clear. The ball comes back, causing greater panic until Mazraoui whacks it upfield.
55 mins: Can Wolves come back again? Without Bellegarde on, someone else really needs to step up.
