Manchester United commenced their 2023/24 Premier League season with a hard-fought victory against Wolves at Old Trafford, marking the beginning of their campaign to build upon the achievements of the previous term under manager Erik ten Hag.
After securing a respectable third-place finish and ending their trophy drought in the prior season, United entered the new season with high hopes.
Week 7 Pool Fixtures 2023 for Sat Aug 19 – Wk7 UK Pool Fixture
Manchester United vs Wolves (1-0)
The team faced a mixed set of results during pre-season, winning four, drawing one, and losing three of their eight friendlies. Their penultimate friendly against French side RC Lens ended with a promising 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
The season opener against Wolves saw Ten Hag deploying his strongest lineup, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka featuring prominently. This selection demonstrated the club’s determination to begin the season on a winning note after experiencing defeat in their opening two games last season, including a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.
United’s encounter against Wolves proved to be a formidable challenge. Despite their mixed performance, United managed to secure a 1-0 victory through Raphael Varane’s header in the 76th minute. The victory was earned despite Wolves’ impressive display and numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
VARANE HEADS HOME! ⚡
Manchester United LEAD! Those celebrations! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/5IELDe6kRk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2023
The match also witnessed notable moments of tension. A VAR review examined potential penalty incidents, with Onana’s challenge on a Wolves player escaping scrutiny. Wolves also demanded a penalty as Onana collided with Kalajdzic during a challenge.
As the game progressed, Wolves maintained their pressure, forcing Onana into crucial saves. The encounter remained tense, with both sides fighting for dominance in midfield and around the box. The narrow win left Ten Hag’s side with a sense of relief, having narrowly escaped several Wolves’ attempts on goal.
The victory for Manchester United is a crucial start to their Premier League campaign, and the club will look to build upon this performance as they aim to secure a successful season under the guidance of Ten Hag.
The match against Wolves served as a reminder that the Premier League remains as competitive as ever, with every point hard-fought and every victory well-earned.