Greenwood gets United off the hook at Wolves
MANCHESTER United set a Premier League record of 28 away games without defeat as Mason Greenwood’s strike 10 minutes from time snatched a fortunate 1-0 win at Wolves yesterday.
United handed a first start to their two big close season signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
Amid the huge excitement over Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the club, there have been questions over what his arrival will mean for the development of Greenwood.
The 19-year-old has now become the first teenager since Robbie Fowler to score in the first three games of a Premier League season.
Wolves’ issues in front of goal spoiled an otherwise promising performance. Adama Traore was linked with a move to be reunited with his former manager Nuno Espirito Santo at topof-the-table Tottenham Hotspur this week, and the two sides to the Spaniard’s game were clearly in evidence.
Traore’s terrifying pace saw him streak past Paul Pogba and Fred to tee up Raul Jimenez, but the Mexican’s shot was comfortably saved at his near post by David de Gea.
Less than 10 minutes were on the clock when United were torn apart again by the threat of Traore as this time Francisco Trincao bore down on goal and only a brilliant block from Aaron Wan-Bissaka prevented a certain goal.
Joao Moutinho also flashed an effort just off target as Wolves’ number of attempts on goal without scoring in their opening three games passed beyond 50. By contrast, the visitors’ ability to turn games in an instant was shown as Fernandes smashed home from Pogba’s pass over the top, only to be flagged offside.
Greenwood was then inches away
from snatching a lead for United going into halftime with a powerful drive that flew just wide in a warning of what was to come for Wolves.
United also needed De Gea to come to their rescue as the Spanish goalkeeper produced a miraculous reaction save to deny Romain Saiss the opener midway through the second-half after he had parried the Moroccan’s first effort.
And the game was decided by a tale of two goalkeepers. Wolves were furious when the only goal of the game arrived as Ruben Neves felt he had been fouled by Pogba.
But with referees under strict guidelines to let the game flow more in the Premier League this season, Mike Dean waved play on and the ball was fed wide to Greenwood, who thrashed the ball low and hard on his weaker right foot through the grasp of Jose Sa.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min sent Tottenham to the top of the Premier League as the South Korean’s free-kick clinched a 1-0 win against Watford yesterday.
Nuno’s side have made a flawless start to the new domestic season and they sit two points clear of second placed West Ham United after a third successive victory.
Son settled a hard-fought clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when his free kick caught Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann out of position in the 42nd minute.
In yesterday’s other match, Patrick Bamford rescued a 1-1 draw for Leeds United against Burnley at Turf Moor.