Manchester United were unable to turn their stuttering form around against relegation-threatened Wolves after going down to 10 men during their clash at Molineux on Boxing Day.
Ruben Amorim had once again opted to omit Marcus Rashford from his travelling squad amid increasing speculation that the academy graduate will soon look to move on from his boyhood club.
But despite keeping on level footing in the first-half, United were hampered minutes into the second when captain Bruno Fernandes picked up a second yellow card and was forced off the pitch.
It took Wolves just 11 minutes after the Portugal international to go ahead via Matheus Cunha’s opener, and under newly appointed manager Vitor Pereira, kept the upper hand despite a tense closing spell.
The hosts were sorely tested as the clock ran down, but managed to cling on and swipe three festive points thanks to a 98th-minute goal from Hwang Hee-Chan snuffing all hope of a comeback.
Here, Mail Sport’s Aadam Patel runs the rule over who struggled and who shone as United’s hunt for a resurrection under Amorim rolls on.
Manchester United suffered their third consecutive this December at Molineux versus Wolves
Ruben Amorim’s players were unable to grasp the upper hand and were later snuffed out
Captain Bruno Fernandes hampered proceedings when he picked up two yellow cards and was sent off
Manchester United (3-4-2-1):
Andre Onana – 4
Made some important saves including a great diving stop to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen but you simply cannot concede directly from a corner – though Matheus Cunha’s goal was pretty special.
Leny Yoro – 5
Came into the United’s three-man defence. Picked up a careless booking in the fourth minute but was decent until he was replaced for Antony just after the hour mark.
Harry Maguire – 5.5
Battled well with Stand Larsen all game though was done by the Wolves forward for his header which was saved by Onana. Like the rest of the United defence, will be fuming at the goal they conceded.
Lisandro Martinez – 5.5
Alongside Yoro and Maguire, wasn’t too bad but yet another game without a clean sheet. Missed a big chance in the first half when his header from six yards out was easily saved by Jose Sa.
Leny Yoro came into Amorim’s three-man defence and was one of the bright spots in the squad
Lisandro Martinez was forced to go another game without keeping a clean sheet in defence
Noussair Mazraoui – 6.5
Started at right wing-back further showing that he can play anywhere in this system. Battled well with Rayan Ait-Nouri before playing as a centre-half when Amorim made a triple change at 1-0. Probably United’s best player on the day.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
He has to do more. There’s certainly a quality player in there but he struggled to get into the game and was replaced just after the hour mark as United hunted for an equaliser.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5.5
Another one who has to offer more. Got into some good positions but lost the ball carelessly on a couple of occasions. Hooked off for Casemiro in the 64th minute.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Played down the left flank and put in a good shift. Had a good effort saved from outside the box and always offered an option. Should have been used more.
Amad Diallo – 5.5
Offered a threat but was wasteful when in possession. Made some poor decisions when in dangerous positions and was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho in the 80th minute.
Kobbie Mainoo must offer more to his new manager if he is going to be assured of starting
Amad Diallo was another player who failed to rise to the occasion on Boxing Day evening
Rasmus Hojlund toiled leading Man United’s line and often cut a frustrated figure on Thursday
Bruno Fernandes – 3
A day to forget for the United skipper. Cost his team. Booked for fouling Cunha in the first-half and then picked up a second yellow card for bringing down Nelson Semedo at the start of the second-half. No need to be making challenges like that when you’re on a booking. Stupid would be an understatement.
Rasmus Hojlund – 4.5
Back in the starting line-up but offered absolutely nothing against statistically the worst defence in the league. Cut a frustrated figure throughout due to the lack of service. Just 14 touches.
Substitutions
Antony – 5
Tried to make an impact with a drilled effort going just wide.
Casemiro – 5
Like Antony, had a chance to equalise but headed straight to Jose Sa.
Christian Eriksen – 5
Replaced Ugarte and United looked much better in midfield with Eriksen.
Antony was brought on as a second-half substitute and failed to massively change the game
Amorim has a lot of work to do to re-sharpen United’s attack and tighten up their defence
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Replaced Diallo late on. Had a decent chance but headed over.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Came on for Hojlund with ten minutes to go. Did nothing,
Manager
Ruben Amorim – 4
Yes, he will call for patience and he wasn’t helped by his skipper but this was another lacklustre United display with barely any signs of change from the Erik ten Hag reign. Amorim has an almighty task on his hands and he knows it.
