Six talking points from Molineux
Catch up on six key talking points from the world of Manchester United, following the Premier League loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Midlands on Tuesday evening…
It looks like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men must do it the hard way, after a 2-1 defeat left the Reds in fifth place behind North London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur (who both have a game in hand). This club always fights to the end, however, and the manager will clearly remain optimistic of earning Champions League qualification for next season. Our six remaining Premier League fixtures are against West Ham United, Everton, Manchester City, Chelsea, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.
2: MCTOMINAY’S FIRST SENIOR GOAL
Scott broke the deadlock at Molineux with a brilliant shot from outside the box, which skidded off a wet playing surface and flew into the bottom corner. It was an excellent way to claim his maiden first-team goal for the club, in his 41st appearance, after previously netting at youth level and in a pre-season friendly for the seniors. It is surely the main positive from an otherwise challenging night.
Luke was shown his 10th yellow card of the Premier League season following a sliding challenge on Ruben Vinagre, which means our Player of the Month for March will miss the next two domestic matches against West Ham United and Everton through suspension. He is the second United player to receive as many cautions in a single PL campaign, after Steve Bruce in 1994/95.
4: YOUNG IS ALSO BANNED
Ashley received a couple of bookings in the space of five second-half minutes, both for fouls on Diogo Jota. It was the 100th Premier League red card dished out by referee Mike Dean, and it means our regular captain will join Shaw in missing the match against the Hammers on 13 April. Their absences leave Solskjaer with something of a selection problem in the full-back positions.
5: HERRERA AND RASHFORD MISSED OUT
Ole confirmed ahead of kick-off that Ander and Marcus were not fit enough to be included in his squad. The boss stated the latter has suffered an ankle injury, but not on the same foot that the Academy graduate recently had problems with against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Anthony Martial was named on the bench and entered the action as a substitute in the second half, which was an encouraging sign after the France international had hobbled off against Watford last weekend.
6: BARCELONA SUFFERED A SETBACK
Our next opponents drew 4-4 with Villarreal in La Liga and that is good news for second-placed Atletico Madrid, who the Catalan club will host at the Nou Camp this weekend. Ernesto Valverde’s side will then visit Old Trafford in the Champions League quarter-final first leg next Wednesday, which Solskjaer now has eight days to prepare for. The permanently-positive manager has spoken enthusiastically about the challenge represented by this tie, and his attitude will not have been affected by the Wolves result.
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