Man United kick off their Premier League campaign with the visit of Wolves. The visitors are in disarray following Julen Lopetegui’s unavoidable, if premature, exit. The Red Devils are preparing for a second season under the cautious eye of Erik ten Hag.
Preview (Man United vs Wolves)
Ten Hag had a good first season in charge of Man United. They qualified for the Champions League with a podium finish and won another EFL Cup. Ten Hag had to lead his team through months of ownership instability during his first season in England. Man United finished in third place behind Arsenal and Manchester City thanks to their stellar defense. They allowed just 10 goals all season long in front of their own supporters. They also ended their six-year trophy drought by humiliating Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final.
It would be an understatement to say that Man United had a difficult preseason. After starting out with three straight victories over Leeds United, Lyon, and Arsenal, the Red Devils went on to lose to Wrexham, Real Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund, despite fielding a young lineup against the former. Following a 3-1 victory against Ligue 1 underdog Lens, Ten Hag’s team finished their pregame activities with a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao. A seventh straight Premier League home victory is now anticipated for Man United on Monday night.
The Red Devils were only defeated once at Old Trafford during the 2022–23 Premier League. It did happen to be against Brighton & Hove Albion on the first weekend. Wolves last season’s survival was his most “difficult achievement” in his managerial career to date. Julen Lopetegui’s issues with the Molineux establishment were too much for him to handle. Lopetegui previously served as the head coach of Spain, Sevilla, and Real Madrid. Additionally, the visitors went through a run of five unbeaten friendlies, defeating Porto and Rennes prior to the managerial shuffle.
Team News
Man United has taken a chance on Danish prospect Rasmus Hojlund after Harry Kane decided to put German football supremacy with Bayern Munich ahead of his pursuit of the all-time Premier League goalscoring record. However, the former Atalanta BC striker will have to wait a little while for his debut due to a back injury. Marcus Rashford should lead the home team’s attack because Hojlund is joined in the injured list by Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Dean Henderson (thigh), Anthony Martial (thigh), Tyrell Malacia (muscle), Thomas Heaton (calf), and Amad Diallo (knee).
In the 2022–23 season, Rashford led all Premier League players in home goals with 20, trailing only the record-breaking Erling Braut Haaland’s (35) total. However, although Hojlund will watch from the sidelines, Andre Onana and Mason Mount should make their competitive debuts. Wolves, in contrast, have an almost perfect health record heading into the first game week of the season, but Matheus Cunha is still a little doubtful because of a minor injury that kept him out of training last week for a few days.
Only West Ham United scored fewer goals away from home than Wolves did last season, so an opening-day matchup at home against the division’s best defensive team should go exactly as planned. While Hojlund is still recovering, Man United’s striker situation may be as it was, but on Monday, the Red Devils should still score their opening-day maximum.
Man United 2 – 0 Wolves
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