Fernandes sent off as Man Utd suffer new low with defeat at Wolves

Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the third time this season as Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a vital victory over Manchester United to strengthen their survival hopes in a 2-0 win at Molineux.

United’s best chance of an opener in the first half came from Diogo Dalot, who forced Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa into a terrific diving save with an effort from just outside of the box heading towards the top right corner.

Wolves forced Andre Onana into a save of his own when a high delivery into the United box found Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose header looked set to squeeze into the top corner before Onana was able to tip it over.

United were dealt a blow just after the restart when Bruno Fernandes was shown his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Nelson Semedo, with Wolves finding the back of the net immediately after – only for Strand Larsen’s header to be disallowed for offside.

The hosts finally broke the deadlock as Matheus Cunha swung his corner kick in and over Onana, sparking disbelief from both the United goalkeeper and the Wolves goalscorer.

Despite a late push by Ruben Amorim’s side which saw Harry Maguire’s header claimed by Jose Sa, it was Vitor Pereira’s charges who would score a second as a quick break saw Matheus Cunha pass to Hwang Hee-chan, who fired past Onana.

The Red Devils drop to 14th in the Premier League, with their losing streak extended to three games in all competitions, whilst Wolves have lifted themselves out of the relegation zone by claiming all three points.

Just one win in five league games means Manchester United continue their mid-winter slump.

Marcus Rashford was not included in the United squad for a fourth consecutive match, with an impending departure potentially on the cards, whilst Rasmus Hojlund was largely absent throughout and there were no words exchanged between Amorim and Fernandes following the latter’s third sending off of the season.

A goal and assist could probably sum up Cunha’s game quite well, but on top of adding to his respective tallies, Cunha continually caused problems for United’s backline, including seeing Bruno Fernandes pick up his first yellow card in the first period.

Wolves: Sa 7, Doherty 7, Bueno 7, Toti 7, Semedo 7, Andre 7, J. Gomes 7, Ait-Nouri 7, Guedes 7, Cunha 8, Strand Larsen 8 Subs: Bellegarde 6, Dawson 6, Doyle 6, R. Gomes 6, Hwang Hee-chan 7

Man Utd: Onana 7, Yoro 6, Maguire 6, Martinez 6, Mazraoui 6, Ugarte 6, Mainoo 6, Dalot 7, Amad 6, Fernandes 4, Hojlund 5 Subs: Casemiro 5, Eriksen 5, Garnacho 6, Zirkzee 5, Antony 5

20′ GREAT SAVE FROM SA That was a terrific diving save by Jose Sa, who denies Diogo Dalot from just outside the box. That was heading for the top right corner.

27′ GREAT SAVE FROM ONANA Nearly! It’s a great delivery into the box and Strand Larsen is able to meet it in the early. It bounces and looks to squeeze into the top corner but Onana is able to get to it in time and tip it over.

48′ RED CARD! Bruno Fernandes is shown his second yellow of the game, seeing his evening come an early end. Tony Harrington had no choice but to show the card after he was adjudged to have fouled Semendo.

51′ GOAL DISALLOWED! WOLVES 0-0 MAN UTD Straight after the restart, Wolves have scored the opener but have they? It’s a speedy attack down the right hand side and it’s finished by Strand Larsen. The linesman flags for offside and after a lengthy VAR decision, it’s disallowed.

58′ GOAL! WOLVES 1-0 MAN UTD (CUNHA 58′) They’ve been piling on the pressure since Bruno Fernandes was sent off and they’ve found the opener. It’s a beauty from the corner flag as Matheus Cunha swings it in and past Onana. The United goalkeeper is in disbelief and so is Cunha.

90+8′ GOAL! WOLVES 2-0 MAN UTD (HWANG 90+8′) Wolves double their lead to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory of Manchester United with a quick break in the final minute of game-time. Cunha passes to Hee Chan Hwang, who has fires past Onana.