Wolves vs Manchester United as it happened: Paul Pogba misses penalty to cost Red Devils victory at Molineux
Anthony Martial’s opener was cancelled out by Ruben Neves before Pogba wasted a chance to win it from the spot
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Paul Pogba missed a penalty as Ruben Neves’ sensational strike earned Wolves a point against Manchester United.
Midfielder Pogba had his spot-kick saved by Rui Patricio – his fourth penalty miss in a year – as United drew 1-1 at Molineux.
It came after Neves curled in a brilliant second-half leveller to cancel out Anthony Martial’s 50th United goal.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side missed the chance to top the early Premier League table despite a dominant first-half display.
Wolves’ second-half rally earned them a point and they now travel to Torino for the first leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday.
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What time is kick-off?
The match will begin at 20:00 on Monday 19 August.
Where can I watch it?
The game is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HD.
You can also watch via Now TV with an annual subscription.
Sky subscribers can also stream the match via the Sky Go app.
Expected line-ups
Wolves XI: Rui Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Castro, Jimenez, Jota
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Pereira, McTominay, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Rashford
Odds
Wolves: 21/10
Draw: 9/4
Manchester United: 13/10
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Wolves vs Manchester United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side look to build on their impressive 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea last weekend.
Manchester United take on Wolves in tonight’s Premier League match with both sides having a near full strength squad at their disposal.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side’s spectacular 4-0 win over Chelsea to start their campaign, Eric Bailly is the only longstanding absentee through injury.
Daniel James replaced Andreas Pereira in that victory and the exciting 21-year-old winger may well be in line to make his full debut, after Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both impressed in defence at Old Trafford last weekend.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo may wait to give a full debut to new striker Patrick Cutrone. The former AC Milan forward came off the bench in the club’s dour 0-0 draw with Leicester but the manager may opt for a more trusted eleven against imposing opposition.
Expected line-ups
Wolves XI: Rui Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Castro, Jimenez, Jota
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Pereira, McTominay, Pogba, Lingard, Martial, Rashford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not concerned about Paul Pogba's future after the Man United midfielder suggested there remains a 'question mark' over his future.
“You always put question marks around Paul," Solskjaer said.
“I don't think it’s odd saying I enjoy playing, I have fun with my team-mates, I enjoy what I'm doing, I love my job and enjoy the game.
“Of course that sentence with the question mark about him, there's always question marks about Paul. There's not one press conference that I've not answered a question about Paul Pogba.
“80 per cent of what he said was that he enjoyed that game and his time here. [The other 20 per cent] is the question mark.
“Is he questioning you or are you putting question marks on him? I've got absolutely no concerns on Paul.”
Solskjaer has revealed he could pick Marcos Rojo in the near future when he recovers from injury.
“Definitely. Why shouldn’t I? He’s had a very good pre-season,” Solskjaer said.
“I think he’s getting closer and closer to the Argentinian setup as well, so let’s see what the future will bring.”
Wolves appear to be Solskjaer's bogey team.
In three visits to Molineux as a manager, the Norwegian has suffered defeat every time.
Wolves 1-0 Cardiff
Wolves 2-1 Man Utd
Wolves 2-1 Man Utd
Diogo Jota is excited to face Man United again after scoring in two matches at Molineux against the Red Devils last season.
“It’s a new season so they’ve had more time to work with the players. They made their own changes, every team in the transfer market tried to improve their team, and we have to understand we’re going to face a big team and it’s going to be hard," Jota told Wolves' official site.
“It’s our job. When you play it’s 11 against 11, even if they have more quality on paper, we have to match that with our fans, playing at home with 100 per cent effort, trying to win the match.
“Our fans are always with us, but in that game (against United in the FA Cup) we understood the importance of going to Wembley to them. It made a difference a little bit, but we count on them every game. Monday night they will be here, supporting us.
“This is a new season, so nothing to do with the last one. They are very strong at the moment, with their first result of the season, so I think it’s going to be hard for us. We have to understand the moments of the team and when we can, try to get on the attack and score goals.”
Wolves enjoyed a big win over FC Pyunik in the Europa League last week and captain Conor Coady was impressed by the new faces.
Nuno gave debuts to Jesus Vallejo and Max Kilman, with Coady singing their praises.
“They were brilliant. We know the quality that Max and Jesus have - Jesus has come in from Real Madrid and you know he's a top, top player, but I think the way they fitted into the shape and the system was the most impressive thing," Coady said.
“Max is a brilliant kid, he really is. He's trained with us for a long time now and he knows how to play the way we want to play. You have to remember that he's a young boy playing at a Premier League club, and he's learning every single day.
“It was important that we helped Jesus, but he's a really clever lad who wants to be here, wants to improve and wants to help us move forward, and I think that's refreshing to see.”
TEAM NEWS
Wolves
Nuno should change back to the XI that played Leicester after making many changes to face Pyunik midweek.
That means Jota and Jimenez should start.
Man United
Eric Bailly and Tim Fosu-Mensah remain out with knee injuries. While Alexis Sanchez, in talks to join Inter, is lacking match fitness.
Monday night football is back, then, and it's an intriguing little number to get us going again and close the second Premier League weekend.
Wolves beat Manchester United twice here last season and Nuno Espirito Santo's side is one crafted for such occasions, with strength in transition and an ability to counter while maintaining defensive integrity.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings a team full of youthful exuberance and high on confidence after the finest of starts to their Premier League campaign.
It almost certainly won't be boring, and we'll have the confirmed team news in rather short order, so let's get this thing going...
That victory over Chelsea was a crucial one for Solskjaer, you feel. Opening day home defeat to potential top-four rivals would have been a far from ideal start and warmed the seat beneath the Norwegian considerably, but the result and manner of victory was significant.
Manchester United remain a side with flaws (the midfield still looks a little suspect and the defence took time to gel) but there was a clear tactical plan and the injection of a pair of fine young English individuals at the back has added steel. Might we see another summer signing start tonight? Daniel James' cameo against Chelsea could force Solskjaer's hand. Rashford, Martial, James - zoom, zoom, zoom!
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