Manchester United will look to bounce back from a disappointing run of results when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day in the Premier League. After a heavy 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, the Red Devils find themselves in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1989. The defeat to Bournemouth marked their second consecutive home loss to the Cherries, leaving new manager Ruben Amorim with a challenging task ahead.
Amorim, who took charge of Manchester United last month, has struggled to find consistency in his early tenure. His team has won only two of his first five league games, and their recent form has been underwhelming. A shocking 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest was followed by the Bournemouth defeat, and their elimination from the EFL Cup at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur added to the pressure. With only two wins in their last six matches, Amorim’s start has been far from ideal.
Despite the setbacks, United will take some confidence from their away form, having secured a memorable 1-0 win against Manchester City earlier in the season. However, they have not won back-to-back away league games since February, and they will need to find a way to improve on the road. With matches against Newcastle United and Liverpool coming up, United will be hoping for a strong finish to 2024, starting with a positive result at Molineux.
Wolves, on the other hand, come into this match with renewed optimism after a 3-0 victory over Leicester City, which ended a four-game losing streak. The win moved them closer to safety, and their recent form away from home has been impressive, with back-to-back wins and seven goals scored in those two matches. The victory over Leicester also saw Wolves record their first clean sheet in a while, and they will be eager to build on that performance.
Under the guidance of new manager Vitor Pereira, Wolves have shown signs of improvement, especially in attack. Despite a rocky start to the season, they have scored 27 goals, the same number or more than six teams in the top half of the Premier League. Their next run of fixtures, however, looks daunting, with nine of their upcoming opponents being clubs that are expected to be in contention for the title or top four. Wolves will need to continue their good form to avoid getting dragged into a relegation battle.
In terms of team news, Manchester United will be without several key players. Marcus Rashford’s future at the club remains uncertain, and he is unlikely to feature. Injuries have also plagued United, with Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw all sidelined. Matthijs de Ligt missed the Bournemouth game due to illness but should return to the starting lineup. Tyrell Malacia, who struggled in the defeat to Bournemouth, is likely to make way for de Ligt.
Wolves, meanwhile, will have Rayan Ait-Nouri back from suspension, but Matheus Cunha’s availability is uncertain due to a potential misconduct charge. Boubacar Traore and Pablo Sarabia remain out, but Mario Lemina could make a return after missing the win at Leicester.
Prediction: Both teams are in need of a positive result, but Manchester United’s recent struggles and Wolves’ improved form make this match difficult to call. United’s away record at Molineux is strong, and they will be motivated to put their recent disappointments behind them. However, Wolves’ resilience, especially in attack, could prove challenging for the visitors. A draw seems like a fair outcome, with both teams likely to share the spoils.
Score Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Manchester United
