Who was United's Man of the Match?

Monday 14 August 2023 23:15

Andre Onana marked his Manchester United debut by claiming the club's official Man-of-the-Match prize, which is voted for by you, the supporters, after each game.

The Cameroonian kept a clean sheet during his maiden competitive appearance for Erik ten Hag's side, who prevailed 1-0 at Old Trafford thanks to Raphael Varane's 76th-minute header.

It wasn't always pretty from the Reds, who were made to work hard for the three points by the visitors in their first match under new head coach Gary O'Neil.

Onana saved all six shots he faced on target, including a smart stop with his feet from Pedro Neto prior to Varane's opener.

Man of the Match | Who gets your vote as Varane's goal ensures United sneak over the line against Wolves?poll

Man of the Match | Who gets your vote as Varane's goal ensures United sneak over the line against Wolves?

That was followed up with two consecutive efforts to thwart Wolves substitute Fabio Silva.

All the good work could have been undone deep into injury time, but referee Simon Hooper waved away Wolves' penalty appeals when Onana collided with Sasa Kaladzjic while coming to claim a cross.

The Video Assistant Referee decided there was not enough in the incident to merit intervening, and United eventually saw out time to make it 19 league games unbeaten at the Theatre of Dreams.

Onana's performance gained him 42 per cent of the vote in our post-match poll, which is enough to claim victory in the first Man-of-the-Match vote of the 2023/24 season.

Goalscorer Varane came joint-second, on 22 per cent, alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who impressed at right-back even before his crafty assist for the Frenchman.

Report: United 1 Wolves 0

 Article

Raphael Varane's second-half header ensures the Reds make a winning start to 2023/24.

“Yeah, there were big moments, but the team showed character in the end,” Onana told MUTV’s Stewart Gardner after the final whistle. “We showed we are a good club, we have good players.

“We are used to this platform, so we show a lot of character. It's not easy to play games.

“We face a very good opponent and here I'm happy for the future.”

Click here to enter our competition to win a printed hero Onana shirt.

Recommended:

  • Bruno: You could see the passion Video

    Bruno: You could see the passion

    United’s captain Bruno Fernandes gives his views on opening night at Old Trafford, Varane’s goal and more…

  • Ten Hag: We fought for it Video

    Ten Hag: We fought for it

    Erik ten Hag has his say on our fighting spirit, the squad and Andre Onana’s debut after the win over Wolves…