Talking points: United 1 Wolves 0

It was always going to be about the result and, at times, it was not pretty, but the home side got the job done in the most dramatic of fashions with our no.10 making the long-awaited breakthrough in injury time, to cap a wonderful year for him personally - on and off the field.

We take a look at some of the main talking points at a freezing Old Trafford as United beat Wolves 1-0...

SQUAD ROTATION

With three games this week, there were always going to be changes to the line-up and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer settled on six for his United XI. Both full-backs were altered from those on duty at Leicester City, one enforced with Victor Lindelof suffering a recurrence of his ongoing back problem. The engine room was also changed, with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic replacing Fred and Scott McTominay, with Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani granted the opportunity to refresh the attack. Wolves, who had a day's less rest, also shuffled their pack but retained dangerous front-men Pedro Neto and Adama Traore.

VINTAGE DE GEA

David De Gea was the busier of the two keepers in the first half and he made one excellent stop to keep out Romain Saiss, pawing away the defender's effort with both fists to draw warm applause from his colleagues, as some Wolves men held their heads in their hands. Rui Patricio also made a vital save in the first period, to deny his fellow Portugal international Bruno Fernandes. David kept a clean sheet and even survived a collision with Molineux muscleman Traore, although it did leave him needing treatment.

BAILLY STAKING HIS CLAIM

With Lindelof out due to a recurring back problem, Eric Bailly again lined up in the middle alongside Harry Maguire, as he did at Leicester, when the Swede was at right-back. This was another chance for the Ivory Coast international to show his qualities against slippery customers in Neto and Traore. There was one superb interception in first-half injury time to prevent Neto's pass from finding Traore on the break after Fernandes appealed in vain for a foul. With his speed and desire to attack the ball, Bailly just needs to stay fit in order to prove he can be a top-class defender. This was an accomplished all-round display by the centre-back.

HALF-TIME CHANGE

Luke Shaw was introduced for Telles at the break, in a bid to try to get at the Wolves defence down our left flank. Telles was heavily involved but perhaps does not have the same chemistry yet with Rashford and it was felt Luke could help make strides forward. He did his best in an attempt to drive the Reds towards an opener and put in a solid display for the hosts.

PENALTY SHOUT

Despite a VAR check, there was no spot-kick awarded when Conor Coady handled a deflected Bailly header inside the box in the 69th minute. Cavani swept the ball into the net but was clearly offside, much to everyone's frustration, and there was a moment when referee Jon Moss appeared to be awarding a penalty but Wolves were reprieved, as the touch from their skipper was accidental. Then with five minutes left, Bruno saw his drive strike Coady's arm as he blocked it but, again, there was nothing doing.

RASHY AT THE DEATH

Fernandes' long pass gave Rashford the chance to get on the ball and he did everything right, controlling it and edging into the penalty area. With the Wolves defenders keen not to dive in, the England international unleashed an optimistic effort that deflected off Saiss and wrong-footed Patricio. We left it late but that is so often the United way and this was one of those moments that would have lifted the roof off Old Trafford! Ji-sung Park once found a way past Wolves with a late strike at the Theatre of Dreams and this was reminiscent of many key wins of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

LATE, LATE SHOW

The goal was United's latest winner in a Premier League game at Old Trafford since Michael Owen's famous strike in the most enjoyable of Manchester derbies back in September, 2009. Meanwhile, Ji-sung Park also netted a stoppage-time winner, at the same end, against Wolves a year later. 

HOW THE TABLE LOOKS

United are second in the standing - two points behind Liverpool, who play on Wednesday, but level in terms of games played with the champions. We have edged above Leicester City and Everton by a point, with Aston Villa, our next opponents on Friday, in fifth spot, with a game in hand on most. That will be another big game and, as was the case here, it is all about the result. Happy new year, Reds!