2023-24 Premier League: Week 22 – Wolves vs Manchester United

Wolves entertain Manchester United at Molineux as both teams chase an European qualification spot.

Victory could see Wolves go as high as eighth in the table, whilst Man Utd can go seventh with a win.

 

Team News

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Pablo Sarabia could return for Wolves after he missed their FA Cup win at Black Country rivals, West Brom due to a calf injury.

Joao Gomes (suspension) is back in contention for selection but Hwang Hee-chan and Boubacar Traore (both international duty) remain absent.

Man Utd could welcome Marcus Rashford back into contention after he sat out their FA Cup win at Newport, amidst a club investigation into his decision to skip training following a night out.

Andre Onana could feature following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, whilst Aaron Wan-Bissaka (knock) is a doubt.

Tyrell Malacia (knee), Victor Lindelof (knock), Mason Mount (calf), Sofyan Amrabat (international duty) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Wolves host Man Utd at Molineux on Thursday 1 February at 8:15pm GMT, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

  • Wolves have won just one of their last nine league meetings against Man Utd (W1, D2, L6).
  • Man Utd are unbeaten in four of their last five league visits to Wolves (W3, D1, L1).
  • Utd won each of their last two visits to Wolves by a 1-0 result in August 2021 and December 2022 respectively.
  • Wolves have scored first in three of their last four league matches at home (W3, D1), only failing to do so in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest in December 2023.
  • Coming into this matchweek, Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes has played a joint league-high 19 through-ball passes alongside West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.

 

Prediction

Having hit West Brom twice on the counter-attack to win their FA Cup tie amidst crowd violence, Wolves can come into this match full of confidence with two clean sheets on the bounce but they will need to be again clinical if want to win this game.

Man Utd meanwhile have defensive work to do because although their attacking at Newport was clinical, there is little excuse for how they allowed their defensive focus to slip at 2-0 up to allow the Exiles back into that game despite their eventual recovery to avoid a cupset.

Both teams though will surely make changes for this game but Wolves are unbeaten in their last nine home games in all competitions, so the first goal will be key but they really could get a draw if Man Utd’s defence mentally goes AWOL again.

Prediction: Wolves 1-1 Manchester United

Result: Wolves 3-4 Manchester United

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