Manchester United started the 2023/24 Premier League win with a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves decided by a second half from Raphael Varane, against the run of play.
Marcus Rashford forced an early save from Jose Sa after being played in by Antony to the right of centre, but his effort lack venom or conviction – the United striker barely otherwise touched the ball during the opening stages.
The home side were dominating possession in those early exchanges, but neither they nor the west midlands visitors were doing enough to consistently test the other.
The first real chance for Wolves came almost half an hour in, the result of Matheus Cunha breaking at speed and feeding Pablo Sarabia, whose effort took a slight deflection off wide of the far post. Cunha himself fizzed one not far off target not long after.
United players screamed for a penalty shortly before half-time when Rashford’s close-range header struck the arm and body of Nelson Semedo, but a VAR check came and went without intervention. Antony and Rashford were both also denied by a perfectly-timed Max Kilman block in stoppage time.
A flurry of Wolves chances soon after the break saw Cunha strike the outside of the post at the back stick after another quick counter and a lengthy run from Matheus Nunes. Andre Onana’s first major Premier League save then pushed a low Cunha shot wide of the post.
A great Wolves chance went begging when Pedro Neto could only direct a fierce strike straight at Onana, another opportunity carved out by Cunha’s direct running through the middle.
When Varane broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, it was massively against the tide. Wolves were made to pay for squandering opportunities, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka getting into a great position and carefully lofting the ball into the six-yard box for Varane to powerfully meet with his head.
The job wasn’t done for the home side and there was still cause for Onana to twice block powerful low shots from substitute Fabio Silva in the closing moments. Luke Shaw also made an incredible diving block to deny the same player as the clock ticked towards stoppage time.
In the added time, Wan-Bissaka diverted Hwang Hee-chan’s shot wide, while Onana survived a late penalty shout from Wolves after clumsily colliding with Sasa Kalajdzic.
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Man Utd player ratings vs Wolves (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana - 8/10 - Made plenty of decent saves, albeit mostly relatively routine. His overall presence breathed increasing confidence into the defenders in front of him, penalty claim aside.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7/10 - Showed willingness to get forward repeatedly and was eventually rewarded with a smart assist. Less good defensively.
CB: Raphael Varane - 7/10 - Not his most commanding defensive performance against strong and direct Wolves running, but threw his head at the ball to score the only goal.
CB: Lisandro Martinez - 5/10 - Cautioned early on for a characteristically full-blooded tackle. It was something he then had to be mindful of and didn't return for the second half.
LB: Luke Shaw - 7/10 - Had his work cut out against Neto's pace, but a big late block contributed directly to the clean sheet and win.
CM: Casemiro - 5/10 - Passed the ball fairly safely but his impact was particularly felt.
CM: Mason Mount - 5/10 - Worked hard off the back and tracked back in key moments, but largely on the perihery in an attacking sense.
RM: Antony - 6/10 - Involved in plenty that his team did without ever having enough incisiveness.
AM: Bruno Fernandes (c) - 5/10 - Limited by his usual high standards. Disappointing given this was his first competitive game as the new club captain.
LM: Alejandro Garnacho - 6/10 - Things didn't quite fall for him without the want of trying.
ST: Marcus Rashford - 6/10 - Had the first major chance but a quiet start to the season overall.
Substitutes
SUB: Victor Lindelof (46' for Martinez) - 6/10
SUB: Christian Eriksen (68' for Mount) - 6/10
SUB: Jadon Sancho (68' for Garnacho) - 5/10
SUB: Facundo Pellistri (77' for Antony) - 5/10
SUB: Scott McTominay (87' for Rashford) - N/A
Subs not used: Henderson (GK), Maguire, Martial, Dalot
Manager
Erik ten Hag - 6/10 - Was making vigorous notes only a few minutes in as his team struggled to find a rhythm. Already knows there is still a lot of work to do.
Wolves player ratings vs Man Utd (4-3-3)
GK: Jose Sa - 6/10 - Stood his ground for an early save, but overall decision making was shaky.
RB: Nelson Semedo - 7/10 - Came out on top in his individual battle with Garnacho.
CB: Craig Dawson - 7/10 - Used the ball well and would have expected to be busier.
CB: Max Kilman (c) - 7/10 - Made a couple of important blocks late in the first half.
LB: Rayan Ait Nouri - 6/10 - Perhaps lucky to avoid an early first half booking for an overzealous tackle and then bizarrely got one before half-time anyway for perceived timewasting.
RM: Pedro Neto - 7/10 - Created chances for Wolves that asked questions of the home defence. Fired a great opportunity straight at Onana not long before his team got punished.
CM: Joao Gomes - 6/10 - Battled for the ball and wasn't scared of taking risks either.
CM: Mario Lemina - 8/10 - Played with confidence, even in tight or potentially dangerous areas.
LM: Matheus Nunes - 7/10 - Enjoyed a positve impact, particularly carrying the ball.
ST: Pablo Sarabia - 6/10 - Had a few good moments, although the movement of more his dynamic teammates offered a greater threat.
ST: Matheus Cunha - 8/10 - Dangerous on the counter attack with powerful and direct running that caused the hosts countless problems. Hit the post in the first half and did everything but score.
Substitutes
SUB: Hwang Hee-chan (63' for Sarabia) - 7/10
SUB: Fabio Silva (77' for Cunha) - 7/10
SUB: Hugo Bueno (77' for Ait Nouri) - 6/10
SUB: Sasa Kalajdzic (88' for Gomes) - N/A
Subs not used: Bentley (GK), Gomes, Doherty, Hodge, Traore
Manager
Gary O'Neil - 8/10 - Only had a few days to prepare following his appointment last week, but it was clear his team had a defined gameplan.
Player of the match - Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
This article was originally published on 90min as Man Utd 1-0 Wolves: Player ratings as Varane header seals scrappy win.