Wolves 0-1 Manchester United: Key talking points as Marcus Rashford fires Erik ten Hag's side into top four

Continuing their eye-catching run since returning from the World Cup break, Manchester United secured a late 1-0 away win over Wolves on Saturday lunchtime.

With their sights set on securing a Champions League return this season, it was the fiery Marcus Rashford who sent Erik ten Hag's men back into the top four after bagging the winner 14 minutes from time. end.

Now winning each of their last three domestic outings since returning from the winter interval, the Red Devils have also put more pressure on a Wolves side who find themselves in the thick of a relegation fight.< /p>

While Saturday's hosts may have opened Julen Lopetegui's tenure with a final 2-1 win away to Wolves earlier in the week, the Oranges have certainly come down to earth here.

On an afternoon when United managed to put down a real marker at Molineux, we took a look at the main talking points.

United shooting less than ten Hag

While the Premier League giants may have opened the 2022/23 campaign amid a rather public struggle, Manchester United have come back strong in style.

Really appearing to have found their feet under the former Ajax boss, Saturday's guests are now seen as one of the main contenders clamoring for a much-needed Champions League return.

Marking their return to the top flight earlier in the week as they battled their way to a 3-0 draw at home to Nottingham Forest, there is no doubt that the mood in Ten's camp Hag should be on top.

Similarly, as well as extending their EFL Cup run on December 21 as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Championship top-flighters Burnley, Old Trafford fans will also be excited about the newfound resolve of their team at the back.

Yet having conceded just one goal since returning from the World Cup break, the Red Devils will simply be looking to maintain their recent momentum in 2023.

Finding a way to the top four and having suffered only one Premier League defeat since early October, United's decision to appoint ten Hags over the summer certainly seems to have been a wise move.< /p> Who can stop Rashford?

While he was shocked to be dropped from ten Hag's starting XI on Saturday lunchtime after oversleeping and missing a squad meeting before kick-off, it was once again Rashford who stole all the headlines here.

While the former Premier League champions may have seen Cristiano Ronaldo complete his messy divorce from the club last month, the England international has once again shown he can be United's main man in 2023.

Collecting three World Cup strikes in Qatar as England finally fell in the quarter-finals, the hometown United star appears to be back to his clinical best and has only continued to receive a series praise from ten Hag.

Coming off the bench in the second half and eventually claiming the winner on Saturday, the 25-year-old has now found the net in all three wins for the Reds since returning from the festive break.

Clearly enjoying life as United's hardcore attacking option, Rashford has now scored 11 strikes in all formats this season, more than double the amount of any other Old Trafford star has produced this season season.

Wolves get ready for a scrap

Opening Lopetegui's tenure in charge with a final 2-1 away win against opponents Everton earlier in the week, Wolves were desperate to cause a major upset on Saturday lunchtime.

However, while it may have been another largely robust display from the Oranges, they still find themselves firmly in the thick of a fight to retain their Premier League status in 2023.

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Opening the new year sitting in the bottom three, the former Sevilla boss will demand that his new team find much-needed stability sooner rather than later.

With Saturday's 1-0 defeat, their third Premier League loss in their last four appearances, Wolves have also won maximum points in just two of their 11 previous top-flight encounters - a run that goes back to September 3.

Facing what is an unmissable battle against Midlands rivals Aston Villa next week, the former top-six contenders have also earned a reputation for their lingering home issues.

In fact, Wolves have now lost each of their last four consecutive Premier League clashes at Molineux by an aggregate score of 10-2.

Match report:

Wolves: Sa, Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno, Neves, Nunes, Hwang, Moutinho, Podence, Costa

Replacements: Aït-Nouri, Jiminez, Jonny, Gomes, Traoré

Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Martial

Subs: Fred, Rashford, Maguire, Elanga, Van de Beek

Goals: Rashford (76′)