Manchester United and Wolves get their new season underway at Old Trafford on Monday evening, with both clubs eyeing a winning start.
The Red Devils should be aiming to build on their last season’s third-place finish, which was Erik ten Hag’s first year at the club. Erik ten Hag and Co. wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin last weekend.
As for Wolves, Julen Lopetegui departed the club on Tuesday—nine months after he took charge at Molineux. The Spanish tactician guided Wolves to 13th position on the league table with 41 points from 38 games last term. The club has announced Gary O’Neil as Lopetegui’s successor, with the former Bournemouth boss set to be in the dugout for Wolves’ opener against Man United.
With a fascinating game expected under the lights at Old Trafford, here are the key battles we could witness between Man United and Wolves.
#Marcus Rashford vs Wolves centre-backs
With Rasmus Hojlund just not match-fit enough yet and Anthony Martial recently returning to training, there is no better option than for Marcus Rashford to lead the Man United attack.
Rashford enjoyed his most productive season last year, netting 30 goals across all competitions, and he could have added more if there was stability up front from the start. With his blistering pace and clever movement, the England international can cause all kinds of problems for the Wolves defence.
Craig Dawson and Max Kilman are expected to form the centre-back pairing at the heart of Wolves’ defence on Monday evening. Dawson and Kilman, along with the full-backs, have to be focused, disciplined and switched on throughout the 90 minutes to keep Rashford quiet.
#Bruno Fernandes vs Matheus Nunes
Bruno Fernandes is set to lead the United team out, against the opponents he made his United debut against in 2020, after being confirmed as club captain.
The Portuguese has been among the most influential midfielders in the Premier League in the last two years, and he will look to make ambitious killer passes often to unlock the Wolves backline. Creator, goal-scorer and leader all in one, has become central to the way Ten Hag wants United to play.
Lining up for Wolves against Fernandes will likely be his Portuguese compatriot Matheus Nunes, who had a mixed debut campaign. A versatile midfielder, excelling in both offense and defense, Nunes can have a huge influence on how Wolves play at Old Trafford. He will be aiming to limit Fernandes’ influence in the final third, whilst getting forward at times to join in the Wolves’ attacks.
All in all, a strong and exciting midfield battle between two Portuguese internationals is expected next week.
#Pedro Neto vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Gary O’Neil could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Man United. He may start Matheus Cunha up top, with Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Neto flanking the Brazilian. As Sarabia tends to cut in on his left foot from right, it could well be Neto who is charged with causing problems for United’s right-back.
Pacey, direct and inventive, Neto will look to make things happen in the final third for the visitors. He could line up against Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has developed into one of the most reliable players under Ten Hag.
The much-improved Wan-Bissaka got the nod over Dalot in a number of big games in the second half of the last season and is now an automatic choice at right-back. His excellent tackling, combined with the immaculate timing of interceptions, makes him a tough opponent to beat.
However, Wan-Bissaka will certainly have to be at his best to subdue the tricky Neto at Old Trafford.
