Premier League: Can Manchester United Lift me from my Misery?

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United

Full disclosure – it may be Christmas but this SBOTOP journalist is a pretty miserable guy to be around right now.

My utter frustration at my beloved football team has festered for almost two months now and it all stems from one decision.

Talking Points 

Firstly, I’m an Erik Ten Hag fan. As far as I’m concerned, the Dutchman did a fine job at Manchester United during his two and a bit years at the helm.

Not only did he bring success and some memorable days but he added some stability and respect back to a Premier League club which was in danger of plummeting.

His tenure may have been far from perfect but given what he had to contend with off the pitch – including a number of players’ ill-discipline, a protracted club takeover and external investigations of a criminal nature involving two men – he remained impressively stoic and calm.

Of course, once the (part) new owners came in, it appeared they wanted their own man in the dugout to match their own long-term vision.

Yet to change a manager, full coaching staff, formation and adopt an entire new style of play mid-season has, for the short term at least, put the team back to the extent where they are far more adrift in the league table than they were when ETH headed back to Holland.

The upshot is that United are in the bottom half of the table at Christmas Day for first time since 1989.

Ten Hag’s successor Ruben Amorim’s side have looked incredibly vulnerable at the back in recent weeks so he will hope to welcome back central defender Matthijs de Ligt after illness as they head to meet Wolves who have their own new boss and a Portuguese compatriot.

Last Sunday’s results have actually put a completely different slant on this one.

While United were being humbled at home by Bournemouth, Wolves were winning 3-0 at Leicester in new manager Victor Pereira’s first game in charge.

The Portuguese coach was only appointed as Gary O’Neil’s successor last Thursday and made four changes to the side that suffered a late 2-1 home defeat by Ipswich a week earlier.

Two of those he brought in were compatriots Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo Gomes and both pounced inside the opening 36 minutes.

Top scorer Matheus Cunha also took advantage of some sloppy Leicester defending to add a third with his ninth goal of the season right before half-time.

Statistically, it was a major turn up as the boys from the Black Country won a Premier League match away from home by three or more goals for just the third time – albeit the second time this season.

More tellingly, it was also the first clean sheet they had managed in an away Premier League match since a goalless draw at Brighton in January – 17 games ago.

Earlier this season I pondered the question how much further Wolves could go – and that wasn’t a criticism of O’Neil.

Remember, he took over on the eve of the 2023/24 season with the club predicted to be in a relegation scrap following a summer of turmoil only to steer them to a comfortable 14th place finish.

He was duly rewarded with a new four year contract to see through a period of transformation at the club.

But then they lost a couple of key players in the summer with winger Pedro Neto moving to Chelsea for a fee of £54 million and centre back Max Kilman heading to West Ham United in a £40m switch. 

That was on top of Matheus Nunes moving to Manchester City 12 months previously.

Whoever was in charge, the progress they made under Julen Lopetegui and Nuno Espírito Santo was always going to be hard to follow.

Pereira, who could welcome back Mario Lemina on Boxing Day from a minor calf injury, now has his chance to prove otherwiseas both teams seek much needed Premier League 2024 highlights.

History 

Here are two traditional stalwarts of English football.

Wolves have defeated United 37 times in history and there have been a further 20 draws.

United have triumphed in 56 of the contests, including a league double last season.

An opening weekend 1-0 success at Old Trafford was secured courtesy of a Raphael Varane header.

That was nothing like the excitement that followed in the rematch at Molyneux in February.

A dramatic contest which seemed to be straightforward for United who led 2-0 after 22 minutes through Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund goals.

Even after a Pablo Sarabia penalty reduced the arrears, an instant impact from substitute Scott McTominay 15 minutes from time appeared to have settled the encounter.

Yet Kilman’s 85^th minute goal prompted a frantic finish and when Neto equalised five minutes into stoppage time, a lightning break from a United corner, the hosts were elated and the visitors deflated.

Amazingly, the excitement wasn’t over.

Step forward emerging teenage star Kobbie Mainoo who produced composure and incisiveness beyond most players his age to clinch a 4-3 United win in the 97^th minute.

Although United have won seven of their last eight meetings, Wolves were 1-0 winners at Old Trafford in January 2022 when Joao Moutinho scored the only goal of the game.

Their inaugural meeting was in October 1892 in Division One when United, then under the name Newton Heath, incredibly ran out 10-1 winners.

An estimated attendance of 4,000 people saw William S Stewart and Robert Donaldson lead the rout with hat-tricks apiece.

Two months later, Wolves were 2-0 winners on their own turf.

Betting Tip  

Despite everything I have said above, our Premier League 2024 betting makes United favourites as they are priced 1X2 @ 2.00 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.00.

The home side are on offer 1X2 @ 3.25 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 1.90.

A re-run of last season’s seven goal thriller is available at a whopping @ 115.00 with Correct Score 3-4.

I do think there will be goals and a few at that which is why i’ve looked at over 3.00 @ 2.11, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.05 and 4-6 @ 2.80 – this more so than Total Goal 0-1 which is priced at an attractive @ 3.86.

The draw @ 3.39 will appeal to some.

 

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