Manchester United wrapped up 2025 with a frustrating 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night at Old Trafford.
Manchester United wrapped up 2025 with a frustrating 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night at Old Trafford.
United started on the front foot and looked keen to assert control, with Luke Shaw and Benjamin Šeško creating early openings. Their pressure paid off when Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected strike crossed the line following excellent work from Ayden Heaven.
Wolves remained a threat and created several chances of their own, eventually drawing level just before the break as Ladislav Krejčí powered home a header to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Rúben Amorim reacted after the interval by withdrawing Zirkzee for Jack Fletcher and shifting to a back four. United pushed for a winner, introducing Leny Yoro and Bentido Mantato, who made his senior debut, but clear chances were hard to come by.
There was late drama when Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu thought he had snatched it in the 90th minute, only for the flag to rule it out, as the contest petered out into a disappointing draw.
Martínez livid with tactical error by United
Lisandro Martinez, the stand-in captain for injured Bruno Fernandes, was the first to accept responsibility in an interview with Sky Sports.
“Really disappointed. We can’t come here at home and draw this game. We have to win when we play at home. The opponent has to suffer, and we didn’t get the three points. Very frustrating. The team gave everything. Just for a few moments, we conceded in the last moment of the first half; that can happen. We can deserve that, it’s our responsibility.”
It’s clear to see the team took the loss hard. Coming into the game, United were expected to breeze past a lacklustre Wolves side, a side without a win in the Premier League this season, yet the Reds failed to deliver on expectations.
“We played well with the ball in the first half, but then we dropped too much, and couldn’t press their centre backs. They were comfortable with the ball, and they started moving around and creating spaces. Wolves don’t deserve the place they are, it’s a strong team. We respect them. We have to take more risks.
United failed to capitalise on opportunities. Zirkzee’s deflected goal was enough to put the Reds in the lead; however, a few narrow misses and a header which hit the post from Sesko meant United were capped at just one goal this evening.
Licha concluded the interview with an inspiring message: “The lads are very disappointed, we expect better. We have to take it and accept it and go for the next one.”
Things must improve in 2026
In almost a grace period for Amorim, the board and the fans have been unwavering in their support for the Portuguese manager, leading to a fluctuating improvement, but improvement nonetheless.
This grace period will not last forever. A clear desire from the fans for the club to qualify for European football again will put the pressure on Amorim as the Reds travel to Leeds for the next installment of the Premier League on Sunday.
Whether tactics need changing yet again, and the Reds switch to the tried and tested back four. Or another wave of recruitment is needed, United need to beat out-of-form teams like Wolves to make that push back into the top six.
That said, it’s a promising sight to see the academy’s abundance of talent shine on England’s biggest stage. Though they struggled this evening, Mantato and Fletcher have gained priceless experience as young players, seeing how professionals react to a disappointing loss, and how that hunger for change will come into effect.
Licha’s comments, though futile now, may provide fans with hope that things will continue to improve.
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