Manchester United 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hosts strengthen top-four bid with win

Manchester United bounced back from back-to-back Premier League defeats by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford to strengthen their bid for a top-four finish.

But Anthony Martial opened the scoring in the first half before Alejandro Garnacho added a stoppage-time second to secure a victory that put Manchester United four points clear of the Reds with three games to go.

With Marcus Rashford out through injury, it looked to be a difficult day in front of goal for the hosts as they missed several decent chances, notably through Antony.

The winger had an effort narrowly wide after running into space before sending a header wide from close range when unmarked.

But Antony provided the assist for the first-half breakthrough when he was played in by Bruno Fernandes and unselfishly squared Martial for the tap-in.

Antony had another chance to get on the scoresheet in the second half, but fired a shot narrowly wide of the post after receiving a backheel from Fernandes.

However, substitute Garnacho eventually grabbed Manchester United’s second when he raced in in the fifth minute of stoppage time before firing past Dan Bentley in the Wolves goal.

The visitors rarely threatened as they finished the game without a shot on target.

Manchester United remain fourth but are level on 66 points with Newcastle in third. Wolves, meanwhile, are 13th.

Man Utd are closing in on a return to the Champions League

After beating Aston Villa in their last game at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s place in the top four at the end of the season looked like a formality as they sat seven points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a match in hand

But the Red Devils have been far less effective on the road than at home this season and defeats to Brighton and West Ham ahead of Saturday’s game opened the door for Jurgen Klopp’s side to try and sneak in.

Regardless, Manchester United knew that three wins from their last four games would seal a place in the top four and against a Wolves side that had recently secured Premier League safety, this would have been a game they would have felt sure to win

Interestingly, the hosts played much of the game without the urgency of a side that still had a lot to play for, and while they dominated play and created chances, they didn’t often work with Bentley in the Wolves goal.

Antony in particular wasted several chances and often chose to shoot when a team-mate was better placed, although he made the right decision for the opener when he set up Martial for a simple finish.

Although it took the home side until the 94th minute to get a second, the scoreline was much more reflective of Manchester United’s dominance as they once again put pressure on Liverpool in the race for the top four.

More to follow.

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