SIR ALEX FERGUSON must have had a little smile to himself behind that mask.
The legendary former Man United boss was in the stands on a freezing night and saw Marcus Rashford grab a winner deep into Fergie-time.
Marcus Rashford scored a late winner as Man Utd beat Wolves 1-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The Red Devils are now second in the table and two points off leaders LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Rashford’s 94th minute winner sparked wild celebrationsCredit: AFP
This looked certain to be yet another goalless draw between two rivals who know each other too well after playing four times last season.
But as the clock ticked into the 94th minute Rashford ran onto a Bruno Fernandes pass and worked an opening for himself.
His effort may not have caused Rui Patricio much trouble but struck Romain Saiss on the back and flew past the visiting keeper into the corner.
United had won a game they had no right to win – and moved within two points of leaders Liverpool.
And Saiss – who grabbed a late goal to scramble a draw against Tottenham 48 hours earlier –it was late heartbreak.
This was the eighth meeting of these two clubs in just over two years but United have found Nuno Espirito Santo’s men tough opponents.
The Red Devils had won just one of those recent games – an FA Cup third round replay back in January.
And this looked for all the world like it would be a third goalless draw in less than year – but Rashford had other ideas.
The ace hit a fierce left-footed shot which deflected off a Wolves player and into the netCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Rashford was delighted with his late impactCredit: EPA
United look like title contenders after their late effortCredit: Reuters
And it was the visitors who had the early chances here with Pedro Neto firing straight at David de Gea early on.
Vitinha produced another effort that the home keeper had to deal with – and he also had to push away a long range shot from Ruben Neves after good work from Adama Traore.
Despite scoring six in their last match here before Christmas, United have struggled in their home matches this season – winning just two of seven.
And the way they performed in the early stages was more in keeping with the stuttering performances of earlier in the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made six changes to the team who drew at Leicester on Boxing Day and his team were struggling to worry Rui Patricio.
Paul Pogba had been on the bench for the last two matches but was among those restored to the starting line-up here.
Yet Scott McTominay – who was so outstanding against Leeds – was back among the subs and United did not pose the same threat without him.
Most of the better chances were at the other end with Romain Saiss looping a header onto the top of the bar from a Joao Moutinho free-kick.
The Red Devils had been frustrated by Wolves throughout the gameCredit: AP:Associated Press
Bruno Fernandes went close with an effortCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Moroccan defender got a late equaliser against Tottenham on Sunday and was close to repeating the trick here.
United had barely created anything in the opening half hour but should have been ahead soon afterwards.
Mason Greenwood floated a lovely cross over from the right and found Bruno Fernandes at the back post.
The Portuguese looked a certain scorer but his volley lacked conviction and was straight into the legs of the visiting keeper.
But his opposite number was much busier and he produced a brilliant reaction save to deny Saiss who got his toe and an inswinging free-kick from Neto.
It had been a flat first half show from Solskjaer’s men – who knew a win would take them to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
Yet the Norwegian’s only change at the break was to swap left-backs with Luke Shaw replacing Alex Telles.
His team have been far more effective when teams attack them allowing United to counter attack but Wolves were content to drop deep and wait.
After so many recent meetings, Nuno seems to have worked out the best way to frustrate the Red Devils.
Rashford had missed a few chances before his winnerCredit: EPA
Rashford had the final say as United left it lateCredit: AFP
There was little in the way of goalmouth action early in the second half either.
Fernandes held up a cross to the back post which Marcus Rashford got to first but he directed his header high over the bar.
That was the cue for the home manager to make a change with Anthony Martial coming on for Mason Greenwood just after the hour.
United were playing with a bit more impetus as a low cross from Pogba was heading for Edinson Cavani until Saiss got in the way.
From the resulting corner the Uruguayan did sweep home after the ball struck the hand of Conor Coady from Eric Bailly’s flick on but the flag was raised.
A VAR check decided any contact from the England man was accidental and his arm was by his side – while the linesman’s flag had been correct.
Pogba was starting to have more of an impact but his low 20 yard shot was safely gathered by a stretching Patricio.
He then set up a chance for his countryman Martial – but the sub blazed high over the bar from the edge of the box.
With most of the action at the other Rayan Ait Nouri raced in down the left onto a clever Moutinho pass but de Gea got down smartly to save.
How crucial that looked when Rashford took centre stage deep into stoppage time to turn one point into three.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
