MARCUS RASHFORD has fired Manchester United into the top four with a winner – after being dropped to the bench by Erik ten Hag.
Rashford shrugged off a host of tackles from Wolves defenders to coolly finish after a one-two with Bruno Fernandes.
United have leapfrogged Spurs into the top four with the victory, putting them one point behind Newcastle.
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Marcus Rashford was guilty of oversleeping, but it was the Wolves defence that were caught napping once Erik ten Hag sent on the forward at the start of the second half.
The England star thumped home the only goal of the game to make up with his manager and lift Manchester United into the top four.
It means supporters of the Red Devils will begin 2023 full of belief, and Wolves fans may yet be similarly confident of a happy new year after watching two much-improved performances since Julen Lopetegui took charge.
There’s more Premier League action to come on this New Year’s Eve including four top-flight fixtures that kicked-off moments ago at 3pm.
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Match winner Marcus caught napping
Marcus Rashford has revealed that he was dropped from Erik ten Hag’s starting line-up after oversleeping and missing the start of a team meeting.
However, the Manchester United forward showed no signs of sulking, and made it up to his manager in the best possible way by coming off the bench to bag the only goal of the game.
It’s the team rules and a mistake that can happen. I was disappointed not to play but I understand the decision, and I’m happy that we managed to win the game. Hopefully, we can draw a line under it and move on. I was a little bit late for a team meeting as I slept in.
Marcus Rashford
Ten Hag delighted by Rashford reaction
Erik ten Hag insisted that the matter had been dealt with after Marcus Rashford accepted his punishment for breaching club rules.
The England international was dropped from Ten Hag’s starting XI, but responded by coming off the bench to score the winning goal at Molineux.
After the decision, he came on, he was bright, he was lively, and he scored the goal. It is the right reaction. Of course [it is the end of the matter]. Everyone has to match the rules and values.
Erik ten Hag
Lopetegui: The goals are coming
Julen Lopetegui’s first home game as Wolves manager ended in defeat, meaning the Old Gold go into 2023 inside the relegation zone.
However, the Spanish coach was positive in his post-match interview despite the disappointment of losing, and insisted that his new side will soon find their form in front of goal.
When you lose, it’s always difficult. Today the players made a big effort against a vary good team, and showed we are capable of competing against the best. I think the goals are coming. The player are working hard.
Julen Lopetegui
Banished Rashford makes the difference
Marcus Rashford began the day in the doghouse after falling foul of Erik ten Hag’s rules, but made it up to his manager with the winning goal and a second half performance that earned him BT Sport’s man of the match.
The forward has now scored four times and provided one assist in his last five club apperances.
Victorious United on the up
A hard-fought three points means Manchester United move up the table and into the top four for the first time since March.
Is Champions League football on its way back to Old Trafford?
Match stats from Molineux
United turned it up a level in the second half following the introduction of Marcus Rashford, and eventually made their dominance on the ball pay.
Full time – Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
Rob Jones blows his whistle, and Manchester United celebrate a hard-fought three points.
All the talk before the game was about Marcus Rashford, who was dropped for ‘internal disciplinary’ reasons.
And all the talk post-game will be about the England star too, after scored the wining goal following his introduction as a second half substitute.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
90+4. Jimenez header!!
Great save by David de Gea!!
The Wolves substitution shrugs off his markers to meet the corner from the left with a point-blank header that the United goalkeeper somehow keeps out.
A match-winning save!
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd – Man Utd double substitution
90+3. Time to shore things up.
Harry Maguire is introduced with United defending the corner, and also on is Anthony Elanga.
Bruno Fernandes and Antony make way.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
90+2. Brilliant cross from Jonny!
Even better defending from Varane!
The French centre-back gets up at the far post to deny Jimenez a routine header to equalise.
However, it is a corner to Wolves.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
90. Next to a fourth official indicating five minutes of stoppage time, Julen Lopetegui is going absolutely beserk.
He looks as though he’s going to be an entertaining addition to the Premier League.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
89. It’s fast, it’s furious, it’s not very good if we’re honest, but, my word, it’s compelling.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd – Rashford yellow card.
88. Marcus Rashford falls foul of disciplinary measures again, this time that of referee Rob Jones.
The official takes exception to the United goalscorer kicking the ball away as Wolves prepared to take a free-kick just inside the United half.
Admittedly, the forward had a case that the hosts were taking the set-piece nowhere near where the incident took place.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
87. It’s thrilling end-to-end stuff now.
Where was this game for the first 75 minutes?
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
86. That disallowed goal has raised the volume inside Molineux, and the home side are now being roared on as they search for a leveller.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
84. Marcus Rashford scores again, and the points are in the bag!
Or are they?
The substitute’s first shot is well saved by Jose Sa, but rebounds back off Rashford and loops into the net.
The United man wheels away in jubilant celebration, but replays show that the ricochet clipped his hand before crossing the line.
Sure enough, word comes through to Rob Jones from VAR that the hand was used, and the goal is disallowed.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd – Man Utd substitution
81. And now Van de Beek does get on, replacing Anthony Martial.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd – Wolves substitution
80. Julen Lopetegui throws on Raul Jimenez in pursuit of an equaliser.
The striker is on for Daniel Podence.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
78. Erik ten Hag was about to throw Donny van de Beek on, but looks as though he ‘s put that change on hold following the goal.
Wolves 0-1 Man Utd
76. It just had to be Marcus Rashford!
Dropped to the bench for disciplinary reasons, the forward has come off the bench to make it up to manager Erik ten Hag with what could be the winning goal.
The England start collected possession out on the left touchline, exchanged a one-two with Bruno Fernandes and darted into the penalty area.
Rashford had Jonny in close pursuit, but showed great strength to shrug off the right-back and take advantage of a fortunate ricochet before slamming past Jose Sa.
Guess who?!
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd – Wolves double substitution
73. Two more changes for the Old Gold.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – a goalscorer in his last two appearances – and Toti are on.
Hugo Bueno and Joao Moutinho head off.
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd – Fred yellow card
71. A barnstorming run from Collins.
The Irishman sets off on a mazy dribble from the halfway line that takes him beyond Varane and Casemiro.
Fred’s not having it, however, and brings the defender down in cynical fashion.
A deserved booking.
Wolves 0-0 Man Utd
69. Now Nunes has gone down, and requires treatment for a knock on his ankle.
Lopetegui is using the time to bark individual instructions to his players, both those already on the pitch and another couple that he’s readying to bring on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
