Manchester United avoided a damaging slip as they battled from behind to record a decisive win over struggling Wolves at Molineux, a result that lifted them into sixth place in the Premier League.
The hosts, who played amid a supporter-led delay in protest against their Chinese owners, finally ended a lengthy scoreless streak when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde guided the ball into the corner after David Moller Wolfe’s scuffed strike broke kindly for him.
United had already let a series of opportunities pass them by, including a light-hearted mistake from Bruno Fernandes after Andre lingered too long on the ball and gifted away possession deep in his own territory.
However, a forceful challenge by Luke Shaw on Bellegarde shortly after the interval set up a rapid break that saw Diogo Dalot cross for Bryan Mbeumo to finish from close range.
United’s lead grew moments later when Mason Mount superbly cushioned Fernandes’ lofted delivery before drilling into the net, marking the first time since March that the visitors had held a two-goal cushion away from home in the league.
A composed Fernandes sealed the evening with an 82nd-minute spot-kick after a VAR ruling penalized Yerson Mosquera for handball, securing the team’s most emphatic victory of their campaign.
Amorim steadies the ship with crucial result
Ruben Amorim, who stepped out alone before the second half began, faced significant pressure with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe watching from the stands alongside world darts champion Luke Littler.
Photos circulating online captured Ratcliffe animatedly addressing director of football Jason Wilcox, with chief executive Omar Berrada caught in the middle—an image that would have carried far greater weight had United failed to respond after their wasteful first half.
By the conclusion, the visitors had amassed 27 attempts, 10 requiring saves from Sam Johnstone, and could easily have produced a larger margin.
Johnstone denied Dalot and Mbeumo, while a rebound from Matheus Cunha was hacked clear by Toti on the goal line.
United even made heavy work of the move that led to Fernandes’ earlier chance, after Cunha opted to lay the ball off rather than shoot before the midfielder’s slip nearly squandered the moment.
Amorim likely reflected on those chaotic first-half moments while waiting alone in the dugout, knowing Wolves’ equalizer had stunned their own fans. Yet the home side lacked the quality to maintain their foothold as United controlled the second period with relative comfort.
Despite extending their positive run to one defeat in nine matches, United’s evening still offered as many uncertainties as reassurances for their head coach.
Wolves’ supporters voice anger as slide continues
Home fans used the opening quarter-hour to express their dissatisfaction with owners Fosun, leaving the South Bank visibly empty and unfurling banners demanding change.
Although the hierarchy is not seeking to sell the club—only minority investment—the reaction highlighted the increasingly strained relationship between ownership and supporters.
Fans’ concerns stem from what many view as a gradual decline, especially from the heights of a Europa League quarter-final appearance five years earlier. Key departures, including the returning Matheus Cunha, have not been replaced with sufficient quality.
Firmly at the bottom of the table and 13 points from safety, Wolves have not tasted league victory since April, and the situation looks bleak as relegation looms.
Despite persistent effort under Rob Edwards, including a narrow loss to Aston Villa, the lack of a cutting edge has repeatedly cost them.
Their eighth straight defeat matches a club record set in the 1981-82 campaign, and with leaders Arsenal up next, few anticipate an immediate recovery as they edge closer to unwanted history.
