Can United make the most of Wolves’ woes to climb the table?
Manchester United’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford tonight gives us a good chance to round off 2025 on a high. It’s been a difficult year for our fans, seeing us finish 15th and lose a cup final to Spurs, but if results go our way this evening we could find ourselves in the top four tonight.
United come into the match currently 6th in table and aiming to build momentum in the race for European qualification with some more difficult games on the horizon, whereas Wolves sit at the foot of the table with a historic low tally of points and a record-breaking winless start to the season.
Recent results underline the gulf in form between these two sides. United’s most recent meeting with Wolves this season came just a few weeks ago at Molineux, where we were comfortable 4–1 winners thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandes and goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount. That victory not only boosted our position in the table but also reflected our attacking potential when firing on all cylinders. Wolves’ solitary goal in that game, scored by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, was their first in several matches and did little to arrest their slide.
By contrast, Wolves’ form has been woeful throughout the campaign. They recently suffered a 2–1 defeat at Liverpool, a loss that extended their Premier League winless streak to what has become a record for the club in a single season. Despite showing some competitive moments at Anfield, Wolves remain without a victory after 18 games, having mustered just two points.
While last season will feel like a long time ago for Wolves fans, they did secure a 1–0 victory at Old Trafford in April, with Pablo Sarabia’s free-kick proving decisive. But we can hope we’ve moved away from shambolic results like that and, even with the number of absences we’re due to have, can secure all the points tonight.
Injury and availability will shape both teams’ line-ups significantly. For United, Bruno Fernandes is ruled out with a hamstring injury, meaning the captain and creative fulcrum will miss tonight’s match despite his eagerness to return to training. Manager Ruben Amorim confirmed that none of his sidelined stars, including Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, are expected back in time for this game, leaving him to shuffle his squad and rely on depth players for key roles. Amorim was unequivocal when asked about the situation: “No, I don’t think they will be ready. Bruno is not playing, Kobbie is not ready, Matta is not ready, Harry is not ready — so I don’t think we’re going to have more players.”
Wolves’ injury concerns and suspensions have also taken their toll. Midfielder João Gomes is suspended, and the availability of Ladislav Krejci is in doubt after recent absences due to a knee issue. These setbacks, on top of a squad already low on confidence, make life even harder for manager Rob Edwards as he searches for a breakthrough in a campaign that has defied expectations in the wrong way.
Amorim has spoken candidly about the challenge ahead, acknowledging that even teams struggling at the bottom can be tough to break down, especially when adversity strikes. He described Wolves as a “difficult team” despite their run of results, highlighting the importance of securing all three points to end the year positively.
Tactically, United will likely look to control the midfield and exploit Wolves’ defensive frailties, while Wolves must find a way to spark an attack that has looked blunt for much of the season. The Old Trafford crowd will be expecting goals and a performance that reflects United’s higher ambitions, while Wolves will be desperate to avoid another defeat that could further entrench their struggles.
On paper, this looks like a game United should win comfortably, and boost our goal difference too. But you would have said the same about facing the 10 men of Everton a few weeks ago. United cannot keep squandering opportunities to get more points on the board so tonight is a must win.
The post Can United make the most of Wolves’ woes to climb the table? first appeared on Republik Of Mancunia: A Manchester United Blog.