Manchester United’s woes deepened as captain Bruno Fernandes received his third red card of the season in a 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, marking another frustrating chapter in their turbulent campaign. Wolves, under new manager Vitor Pereira, extended their perfect start with an impressive victory at Molineux.
Fernandes was dismissed just two minutes into the second half after picking up a second yellow card, having already been sent off against Tottenham and Porto earlier in the season. The dismissal left United vulnerable, and Wolves capitalised on their numerical advantage in the 58th minute.
Matheus Cunha scored directly from a corner, replicating Son Heung-min’s similar feat for Tottenham last week, as Andre Onana misjudged the flight of the ball in a congested six-yard box.
The home side sealed the victory in the dying moments of the game. As United desperately sought an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Wolves launched a clinical counterattack. Cunha turned provider, setting up Hwang Hee-chan to double the lead and ensure Wolves’ first home win over United since 2019.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s side has now lost five of their last seven matches across all competitions, with defensive vulnerabilities becoming a recurring theme. Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth have all exploited United’s frailty at dealing with set pieces and high balls into the box.
Ten Hag, speaking after the match, acknowledged the mounting pressure. “It’s a difficult moment for us, but we need to stay together and fight for improvement. Losing key players doesn’t help, but we cannot make excuses,” he said.
The defeat leaves United with only seven points from six Premier League games under their current setup. By contrast, Wolves are flourishing under Pereira, who has earned six points from his first two matches, building on a win at Leicester with this statement victory.
For United, the challenges keep mounting. Fernandes’ suspension means he will miss the crucial home game against Newcastle on December 30. Additionally, midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who picked up his fifth booking of the season, will also be unavailable.
Vitor Pereira hailed his team’s performance, stating, “The players showed character and belief. We are building something special, and the fans can be proud.”
As Wolves celebrate a resurgence, Manchester United face serious questions about their ability to turn their season around. Manchester United will take on Newcastle United next at home on New Year’s Eve.
