August 29, (THEWILL) – Raphael Varane started life in the English Premier League in Manchester United colours, providing an assist for the only goal of the match away at the Molineux Stadium against a misfiring Wolverhampton Wanderers to complete a heart-warming debut for the Frenchman.
But it took an 80th-minute Mason Greenwood goal to happen and with it United set a new record of 28 Premier League away matches unbeaten as they came out of the scruffy encounter with all three points to climb to third on the table behind London clubs Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham after Matchday Three.
It was not a tidy victory and the Red Devils were fortunate to finish without conceding.
The hosts had the better chances and they will rue how bad their finishing was on the day. Adama Traore, who finished as man of the match, created a high four chances, none of which came to a goal.
Instead, substitute Greenwood punished the profligacy of Bruno Lage’s men when he drilled a low shot beyond Jose Sa 10 minutes from time. The goal meant that Greenwood became the second teenager to score in his team’s first three Premier League games of the season.
He matched a record that Robbie Fowler set for Liverpool in 1994/1995 season of the EPL. It was the season where Blackburn Rovers, who had previously won two English football titles, clinched their first ever EPL crown.
In the end, Wolves had no one else but themselves to blame for the third straight loss of the new season. Chances to take the lead opened up for them as early as the 10th minute but the pair of Raul Jimenez and Trincao failed to make the most of excellent openings.
Varane and his team handling defensive duties therefore claimed the club’s first clean sheet in 11 matches in all competitions. Yet, most of the praise for that rightfully belongs to David De Gea, United’s goalkeeper.
The Spaniard shut out the danger of Traore throughout and was involved in a remarkable double-stop to somehow deny Romain Saiss 21 minutes from time and secure full points for the visitors ahead of the international break.
It was not a bad way to prepare for the coming of Cristiano Ronaldo whose contract bringing him back to Old Trafford is in its final stage. The optimism that has generated was felt in the stands as the packed stadium had moments where the away fans reminded anyone listening that Ronaldo was back.
United will now head into the international break in buoyant mood before hosting Newcastle on Saturday September 11. Winless Wolves visit Watford desperate to pick up their first point under Lage.=
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
