Wolverhampton Wanderers finally snapped their run of 11 consecutive Premier League defeats by earning a draw at Manchester United, giving head coach Rob Edwards his first point since taking charge.
A frustrated Old Trafford crowd voiced their displeasure at full-time, with the hosts jeered off the pitch following another subdued display.
United, missing eight senior squad members due to injuries and international duty, struggled to impose themselves despite taking the lead. Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected effort put United in front after 27 minutes, but the visitors’ persistence was rewarded before halftime.
Ladislav Krejci equalised with an unchallenged header at the far post, and Wolves continued to threaten after the interval.
United falter as issues return
After the restart, Senne Lammens produced a smart save to deny Krejci a second, pushing away the defender’s low strike before clearing danger under pressure from Yerson Mosquera. Mosquera later nearly diverted a header into his own net, forcing goalkeeper Jose Sa to recover the ball just short of the line.
Sa also received a rare infringement call for holding the ball beyond the allotted eight seconds, only the third such instance in the league this season, but the resulting set piece led to nothing.
Jhon Arias flashed an effort narrowly wide for the visitors, while Patrick Dorgu saw a late strike for United ruled out for offside following an extended VAR review.
The draw keeps Wolves adrift, 15 points from safety, while United miss the opportunity to climb into the top four and sit sixth.
Creative void limits United
Ruben Amorim’s squad, already inconsistent, struggled again to find rhythm or urgency in possession. Without Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, and Amad Diallo, the home side lacked invention and tempo moving forward.
United’s attacks frequently stalled, with forwards Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko gesturing for passes that arrived too slowly or not at all.
Zirkzee’s opener came only after Ayden Heaven drove from midfield to the edge of the Wolves area before supplying the forward. The striker was withdrawn at the interval for 18-year-old Jack Fletcher, reinforcing speculation around a potential transfer, with Roma pushing to conclude a deal before the Africa Cup of Nations absentees return.
Wolves supporters rewarded at last
Despite a bleak campaign, the travelling support maintained belief, buoyed by recent narrow defeats at Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. Their optimism grew as United laboured, and by the closing stages, the away end sensed the chance of an upset.
Krejci repeatedly threatened, Mosquera delivered a composed defensive showing, and Sa recovered well after miscues to keep his side level.
With changes behind the scenes, including chairman Jeff Shi’s departure, Wolves’ future direction is uncertain as owners Fosun weigh whether to invest in January.
Whatever the plan, Edwards has introduced structure and discipline, and this performance provides evidence of progress during a difficult season.
