Wolves 2-0 Manchester United: Player ratings as Cunha and Hee-chan condemn rudderless Red Devils to eighth loss of the season | Premier League 2024-25
Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Boxing Day as Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan's goals condemned them to their eighth loss of the season.
Coming into the fixture on the back of a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, preceded by a 4-3 ouster from the Carabao Cup by Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils needed a big performance.
However, they struggled to break down a spirited home side that kept them at bay in the opening stanza. But it all started to go downhill for them in the second half as Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second bookable offense, leaving them with a numerical disadvantage for over 40 minutes.
Wolves capitalized on being a man up and broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Cunha fired them in front with an Olimpico - a goal straight from a corner. In search of some attacking spark, United introduced three substitutions, including Casemiro, who came close to scoring shortly after coming on.
As the clock winded down, a defeat looked certain with United still unable to find the equalizer. Hwang Hee-chan then doubled Wolves' advantage with a goal in the ninth minute of stoppage-time, consolidating a famous victory.
Ruben Amorim's side slipped to 14th position of the league standings with only 22 points from 18 games while the Wolves climbed out of the relegation zone into 17th with just their fourth win of the season.
Manchester United Player Ratings:
Andre Onana - 5.5
The Manchester United custodian made a couple of saves to keep his side in the game but should've done more against Cunha's corner.
Leny Yoro - 7
A solid display in defense with four clearances and three tackles. He went into the book in the fourth minute for a needless foul on Matheus Cunha, but got his act together soon after.
Harry Maguire - 7
Maguire read the game brilliantly and intervened accordingly to clear their area of any impending danger. In fact, the Englishman registered six clearances and three interceptions while completing 84% of his passes.
Lisandro Martinez - 6.5
The Argentine international showed great positional awareness and distributed the ball superbly too. He even mustered an attempt at goal in the first half, but it was easily saved by Jose Sa.
Noussair Mazraoui - 6.5
He produced a superb piece of defending in the first quarter of the match by getting back and jumping into a crucial challenge on Matheus Cunha. He registered four clearances, two interceptions, and three tackles.
Manuel Ugarte - 7.5
The midfielder hounded Wolves for possession and came away with flying colors, as Ugarte won all seven of his ground duels. He also made five tackles in the game.
Kobbie Mainoo - 7
An underrated attacking force for the Red Devils tonight as Mainoo combined excellent vision with brilliant execution to make three key passes. He also attempted to win back possession a few times, but a came a cropper.
Diego Dalot - 6.5
The Portuguese drove forward a few times and looked to stretch open Wolves' backline by inviting defenders at him. He also made some excellent recoveries.
Amad Diallo - 6.5
Manchester United's little dynamite hounded the Wolves players for possession but didn't always succeed. Full credits for his courage and determination to make things happen on a day when almost nothing was going their way.
Bruno Fernandes - 4
An unmitigated disaster from start to finish. Oh wait, he didn't even finish the game. Fernandes got himself sent off following a second yellow for a mistimed challenge on Nelson Semedo, leaving Manchester United to play with 10-men for almost the entirety of the second half.
Rasmus Hojlund - 5
Rasmus Hojlund was a total non-factor for Manchester United today, failing to muster a single shot in the game. His runs in behind the defense caused a few problems, but not enough to cut them open or force a goal.
Substitutes
Casemiro - 7
The Brazilian maestro injected firepower into Manchester United's attacking frontline, making two key passes and two crosses.
Christian Eriksen - 6.5
A bright source of lethal crosses for his teammates.
Antony - 7
Antony played a big role in winning back possession.
Alejandro Garnacho - 6.5
The Spaniard had a half-chance from a header but looped it over.
Joshua Zirkzee - 5
Didn't have enough time to make an impact.
