Alejandro Garnacho returned from injury with a bang as the Manchester United teenager wrapped up a victory against Wolves that gets their UEFA Champions League qualification quest back on track.
Back-to-back defeats at Brighton and West Ham allowed rivals Liverpool to move within a point of the Red Devils in fourth, as Erik ten Hag’s side risked allowing a positive season to end badly.
United alleviated the pressure somewhat by returning to winning ways thanks to Anthony Martial’s close-range finish and substitute Garnacho’s stoppage-time goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory against Wolves.
Antony’s intelligent pass set up the France international to score the opening goal – just his fifth in the Premier League this term – in front of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: David de Gea – 5/10 – Most notable action in the first half was smashing the ball out of play – another nod to his kicking woes.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6/10 – Didn’t pose a threat in the attacking third but solid enough in defensive areas.
CB: Raphael Varane – 7/10 – Facing Diego Costa of Wolves was far easier than facing Diego Costa of Chelsea in yesteryear, but the Spaniard was a threat nevertheless.
CB: Victor Lindelof – 7/10 – Given very little to do as most of Wolves’ threat came in the form of pressing.
LB: Luke Shaw – 7/10 – Far more dynamic than Wan-Bissaka on the other flank, creating chances and getting forward on the overlap.
DM: Casemiro – 6/10 – A little sloppy on the ball at times and picked up his customary card.
CM: Christian Eriksen – 6/10 – Had a couple of early half chances, firing over and wide, but was a little rushed at times.
CM: Bruno Fernandes – 8/10 – Can be really frustrating when United are looking to close out games but there’s no denying his ability to create chances.
RW: Antony – 7/10 – Really, really lively in the first 45 minutes but let down by his execution and decision making more often than not. Did set up Martial’s goal well.
CF: Anthony Martial – 7/10 – Took his chance clinically and led the line well. Getting sharper as he continues to tuck minutes under his belt.
LW: Jadon Sancho – 6/10 – There will be a game where Sancho explodes into life, but it’s evident that he’s a couple of good performances away from really believing in himself.
Substitutes
SUB: Wout Weghorst (69′ for Martial) – 6/10 – Offered nothing to suggest his Premier League goal duck will be broken.
SUB: Fred (81′ for Eriksen) – N/A
SUB: Harry Maguire (81′ for Varane) – N/A
SUB: Alejandro Garnacho (81′ for Sancho) – 7/10 – Took his goal superbly.
Subs not used: Butland (GK), Dalot, Malacia, Pellestri, Elanga
Manager
Erik ten Hag – 7/10 – The result was the only important thing for Ten Hag and his side did enough to win the game.
