United v Wolves: The essential info
Manchester United return to action at Old Trafford on Saturday when the Reds host newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
However, the Reds will face a tough test in the form of Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves. The West Midlands club have recruited strongly and have their sights set on at least consolidating their place in the top-flight this season.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s fixture…
Saturday 22 September | Premier League | Old Trafford | Live build-up on MUTV from 13:30 BST | Kick-off at 15:00 BST | Referee: Kevin Friend
WHAT'S THE TEAM NEWS?
The boss has confirmed that Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera won't be ready to return against Wolves, but Phil Jones is available for the first time since sustaining a hamstring injury against Tottenham last month. Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford will both be unavailable for selection, as both are suspended in domestic games following red cards against Watford and Burnley respectively. Diogo Dalot won't feature against Wolves - to ensure he's "totally fresh" to play in Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Derby County.
HOW ABOUT WOLVES?
As for the visitors, Nuno Espirito Santo will be without Ivan Cavaleiro, who has a back injury. The Portuguese forward is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League this season, with his last competitive appearance coming at the back-end of Wolves's promotion-winning campaign.
HOW HAVE WOLVES STARTED THE SEASON?
The Midlands outfit have not rested on their laurels since winning promotion, with a wealth of foreign talent arriving at the club over the summer, including goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho. So far, the newly-promoted side have settled into the Premier League like a hand in a glove, drawing against Manchester City and only losing one of their opening five fixtures which sees them lie ninth in the table going into this weekend’s match at Old Trafford.
WHAT’S OUR OVERALL RECORD LIKE AGAINST WOLVES?
United have won 48 of the 98 previous meetings against this weekend’s visitors. The most recent meeting was a 5-0 victory for the Reds at Molineux in March 2012 as Wolves were on their way towards relegation. The visitors haven't won at Old Trafford since 1980.
Nuno Espirito Santo has won 36 of his 58 games from two seasons in charge of Wolves, drawing 13 and losing nine. His team have earned eight Premier League points so far this season.
WHO’S THE REFEREE?
Kevin Friend will be the man in the middle on Saturday afternoon. The Leicestershire-based official will take charge of his second United game of the season already, after handling the 3-2 defeat at Brighton last month. Last term, Friend refereed three fixtures for the Reds, all three of them victories – against Derby in the FA Cup and Huddersfield and Arsenal in the Premier League.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE RESULT WILL BE?
Get involved by predicting the outcome of Saturday's game. Win exclusive prizes throughout the season by playing the Match Predictor.
United last met Wolves in February 2012 and ran out 5-0 winners at Molineux, thanks to goals from Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez (2).
WHO ARE OUR RIVALS PLAYING THIS WEEKEND?
There will be a full programme of Premier League fixtures across the two days. Here’s what the schedule looks like…
Saturday 22 September
Fulham v Watford (12:30 BST)
Burnley v AFC Bournemouth
Cardiff v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Huddersfield Town
Liverpool v Southampton
Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton & Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspur (17:30 BST)
Sunday 23 September
West Ham United v Chelsea (13:30 BST)
Arsenal v Everton (16:00 BST)