Easter Sunday preview: United v Wolves

While our last outing was the latest highlight of a vitalising UEFA Europa League run, things haven't been as straightforward in the top flight this season, although the meeting with Wolves presents the first of six opportunities to improve on our position in the bottom half of the table before the term is out.

The 14:00 BST kick-off is also a chance to build on the momentum gained from the epic 5-4 win in midweek and potentially get more minutes into the legs of several recent absentees, ahead of two massive European semi-final clashes with Athletic Club at the start of May.

Ruben Amorim has already hinted that those battles with the Basque side will factor into his decision-making for domestic matches over the next week or so but, make no mistake about it, three points at home to Wolves this weekend remains the immediate goal. So, here's everything you need to know ahead of our Easter Sunday assignment...

HOW TO FOLLOW

Proceedings from Old Trafford won't be broadcast live on TV in the UK, but exclusive global coverage across our platforms will keep you across the action throughout the afternoon.

MUTV, ManUtd.com and the United App are where you can watch over an hour of pre-match build-up via our Matchday Live show from 12:55 BST, before live radio commentary of the 90 minutes from Old Trafford is followed by on-the-whistle analysis and interviews as part of the post-match reaction.

In the app, you will also be able to find the team news once it's announced at 12:45 BST, rolling updates on the match, expert insight, stats and all lengths of the highlights after the final whistle. The two-minute cut will be available two hours on, with extended versions available from Monday morning.

TEAM NEWS

The boss has already suggested that rotation could be a theme of Sunday's line-up after Thursday's taxing tussle with Lyon, which went the 120-minute distance after going to extra-time.

Ever-impressive captain Bruno Fernandes has started 31 of our 32 Premier League matches this term but was was one of several 'tired' players that Amorim mentioned he needed to be careful with in the aftermath of the midweek's energy-zapping encounter.

There could be opportunities for Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount to build on the minutes they accumulated against Lyon following their recent injuries, while Ruben is open to giving a number of young players the opportunity to shine, as he looks to shuffle his pack.

Defenders Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui are both set to be available despite having to deal with personal issues during Thursday's game, although there is no suggestion that Amad, Toby Collyer, Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans will be able to return from the sidelines. Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee are out for the season.

For Wolves, a late call will be made on the availability of defender Matt Doherty, midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and forward Hwang Hee-chan whose injuries are not 'serious' according to boss Vitor Pereira. Former United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and defender Pedro Lima are not expected to be involved, while Leon Chiwome, Enso Gonzalez, Yerson Mosquera and Sasa Kalajdzic are long-term absentees.

OPPOSITION REPORT

A combination of results around the league could see Wolves assured of their Premier League safety for another season this weekend, which would be quite the feat with five matches still on their 2024/25 schedule after the trip to Old Trafford.

Aforementioned head coach Pereira - a two-time Portuguese title-winner as a manager, like Amorim - took over the Molineux club when they were 19th and five points adrift of safety in December, but has overseen a commendable rise that has eased their relegation fears.

A run of four successive top-flight wins in the build-up to this one has been key to that, and is a spell that includes a notable 2-1 victory in a 'six-pointer' away to Ipswich Town, that stretched the gap to their beaten opponents - who are the closest to escaping the bottom three as the league's 18th-placed side - to 12 points.

That buffer has since widened further after Pereira's men beat Europa League semi-finalists Tottenham last weekend, a game in which their two principle goal-getters this term, Matheus Cunha (14 in the league) and Jorgen Strand Larsen (12), both found the net.

HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY

Our visitors won the reverse outing 2-0 on Boxing Day at Molineux, so we'll be looking to prevent them from completing a first league double in the fixture since 1979/80 this weekend.

Sunday's game is actually our 50th against the Wanderers at Old Trafford in all competitions, while in the overall head-to-head stakes, we've won 56 of the previous 114 meetings between the sides. Wolves have taken the spoils on 38 occasions, while the other 20 clashes have been drawn.

Our last two wins over the Midlanders came in last season's two Premier League bouts, both settled by late goals. Former Red Raphael Varane did the damage in the opening game of the campaign at Old Trafford, before Mainoo's unforgettable winner deep into stoppage time at Molineux in February 2024. 

ELSEWHERE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Our game at Old Trafford is one of three kicking off at 14:00 BST on Sunday, as part of an extended Matchweek 33 programme. After 10 fixtures between Saturday and Monday, Man City face Aston Villa on Tuesday before Arsenal host Crystal Palace on Wednesday, in clashes brought forward due to next weekend's Emirates FA Cup semi-finals.

Saturday 19 April

Brentford v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Everton v Man City
West Ham v Southampton
Aston Villa v Newcastle (17:30 BST)

Sunday 20 April

Fulham v Chelsea (14:00 BST)
Ipswich v Arsenal (14:00 BST)
UNITED v Wolves (14:00 BST)
Leicester v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

Monday 21 April

Spurs v Nott'm Forest (20:00 BST)

Tuesday 22 April

Man City v Aston Villa (20:00 BST)

Wednesday 23 April

Arsenal v Crystal Palace (20:00 BST)

Kick-offs are 15:00 BST unless stated otherwise.