Premier League
Man United 1 Wolves 0
There were a couple of new faces in Erik ten Hag’s line-up, including a footballing goalkeeper for once, but it was an all too familiar story as the Dutchman’s second season in charge at Old Trafford got underway.
Off the field, there were a series of protests to bring in the new season, not only against the despised owners the Glazers but also against the prospect of United re-instating striker Mason Greenwood after his legal troubles.
And on it, United spurned chances and possession, until they finally made the breakthrough on 76 minutes, through defender Raphael Varane of all people.
Casemiro found Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a simple ball into the area as the Wolves defence, for once, blew assignments and his cross was headed in from close range by the centre-half, to send a wave of relief flowing around Old Trafford.
Any early-season analysis of ten Hag’s team comes with the major caveat that striker Rasmus Hojlund, the man he claims he is happy to have rather than Harry Kane, is starting the campaign in the treatment room with a back injury and no specified comeback date.
And there were certainly encouraging signs from his two other big summer buys, England midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana who is something United have arguably never had - a modern goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and capable of producing a defence-splitting length of the field pass.
But aside from that, it was another laborious evening from United who had plenty of possession but who should, in all honesty, have gone in at the interval two goals down.
A Wolves side who lost their manager on the eve of the season and had newcomer Gary O’Neil just short days into his job,
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