Ruben discusses Mount and De Ligt

The Manchester United head coach was naturally pleased with his side's response to conceding at the end of the first half, and scoring three times in an accomplished display after the break.

Mount was one of the standout performers at Molineux and the boss was effusive in his praise of the midfielder, while also appreciating the influence of the forwards.

With Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui set to depart for AFCON soon, whether that is before the Bournemouth game next Monday is still be decided, there was a brief update from Ruben, in addition to one on De Ligt, who missed a second successive game.

Ruben, congratulations on the win. Are you particularly pleased with the performance in the second half, especially given how the first half ended?

"Yes. I think, once again, after we score a goal, we were a little bit sloppy on the ball and that gave a little bit [of] hope to the opponent, but we also created a lot of chances in the first half also. We should have finished that half in the different way. And then at half time, they understood that we have everything to win the game to win and [get] the three points. They did that. I think the pace, the quality that we showed in the second half, understanding that the moment of Wolves is really hard as a team, as a club. So we took advantage of that."

Just on the front three, I think that's the third time they have started together. They looked pretty good in all those five games. Are you encouraged with how well they've adapted, because the system normally you'd have an out and out striker in it?

"Yeah, I think especially with system v system, if you take [out] some of the reference, then [Matheus] Cunha can help us to do that. We need to avoid the crosses that I think we have more space to [complete] corner runs, all this type of play and the quality that they have when they have a little bit of space, I think they did really well and they understood the type of game that they should play, with the characteristics that they have."

When you get a win that size, I know we have had this conversation many times before. Is it more important now that you show that tonight is not a one-off that you can put these runs of good performances together?

"First of all, I think we are in the league that is really hard to win every week, and you can sense that by watching the table. Then this is a specific case. We face a team that is really, really struggling, and you can sense in every situation of the game. So the next game is going to be completely different. So we need to know that. But in our club, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter the run that you have the moment if you play quite well, [in] the last game, what matters is the way we are going to play the next one. So let's focus on that. We need to improve the way we play. I think we need to find a different way to play sometimes. So we are thinking about that. We are working on that, and Bournemouth is going to be a different world."

Have you been given a concrete decision about Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui on AFCON?

"The club is talking with the national teams. Let's wait for the middle of the week. I don't know for sure, but we are doing our job and the national teams are talking with us, and that is a good sign. Let's see."

You said before about how much you appreciate Mason Mount. Do you feel he is starting to get consistently strong performances now at United?

"I think also the way we play is, if you compare the past that he had in with Chelsea is the same, and then he has great quality. He can defend, he can attack, [he shows] real quality that when he touches the ball, it is really good. So it's not a surprise for me, but of course, we need to take care of him sometimes. Sometimes, you need to protect them in training and in games, but when you build it, that is going to happen the same thing with Luke Shaw. So he's going to build that and he's going to be really important for our club."

Do you see him as a leader in the dressing room now?

"Yeah, it's a different type of leader. It's not like Licha [Lisandro Martinez], for example. It's a guy that leads by the example. It doesn't matter of the situation, Mason Mount is always the same thing, training, talking, dealing with people around Carrington. That is not easy. So he is a very, very good player."

Touching on Mount there, is that why he doesn't start all the games, because you have to protect him?

"Sometimes, it is a tactical issue when you play a striker and sometimes [Matheus] Cunha is going to that position or. But sometimes it's also we need to protect Mason Mount. We need to build the same thing that we did with Luke [Shaw] last year, we are doing the same with Mase and taking care of him."

Just on the half-time talk, I think he mentioned there are some heated words and he said we should have everything to be beating Wolves? What was that like at half-time?

"It's simple, I think you need to be really distracted when you look at Everton, three points that we could have. More two points against West Ham, look at the table, look at the environment, look at everything. So if you have everything there, let's do everything. Sometimes, you get the result. Sometimes, you lose points. But I think if you look at the first half, you need to understand that we need to win the second half. It doesn't matter the result. If you score one, you need to score two, and then you win with a different margin in the game, then you can play the ball with more quality."

Ayden had a really difficult game against West Ham, with the yellow card and you took him off at half-time. How proud are you of him tonight?

"I'm really proud of everyone today. They did a very good job. I think Ayden [Heaven] has a great future. He's really hard to beat. He adapts really well in the centre. We have Matta [Matthijs de Ligt] and Harry [Maguire] with problems. Of course, he needs more rhythm to play 90 minutes. Sometimes he plays man v man in that position and I think he did really well. I really enjoyed to see him with the ball and that was a very good part in this game."

Any update on De Ligt and when he will be back?

"I don't know. I don't know. Sometimes you have an idea, but then you have to see there by day. So I'm not going to say that when he's going to be back."