Ones to Watch: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United (Premier League)

Manchester United travel down to the West Midlands as they close out the year with an encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Both sides are contending on either side of the table. 

Manchester United are looking to break into the top four for the first time this season, whilst their Midlands opposition will be aiming to escape the bottom three at the foot of the table. 

Erik ten Hag will be looking to make it three wins in a row after wins against Burnley and Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup and Premier League, respectively, putting the side in good stead as the fixture pile-up begins. 

United have played some stellar football in the last week, especially against Forest, in what will be known as one of their best games under Ten Hag’s tenure so far. 

The attacking ruthlessness has matched the defensive stability in the aforementioned games. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Casemiro, have shone individually.

As for Wolves, new manager, Julen Lopetegui, has had his own immediate effect. Despite his very brief time at the club so far — only managing 188 minutes of domestic action, the former Real Madrid manager has Wolves looking more threatening. 

Read More: Wolves vs Manchester United form guide (Premier League) 

Manchester United — Marcus Rashford

It’s hard to look past a player with three goal involvements (two goals, one assist) in two games, even harder when it’s a player of Marcus Rashford’s quality. 

Rashford, 24, has seen a supreme upturn in form this season under Ten Hag, as that form has continued since his exploits in Qatar with England — 3 goals at the World Cup — England’s joint top-scorer at the tournament. 

He has been able to quieten down some of the shouts for United to recruit in the attack, even if Liverpool’s acquisition of the Red Devil’s top target, Cody Gakpo, has encouraged such cries to be brought up again.

Rashford’s ability to stretch the opposition’s defence with his explosive pace and off-ball movement has been a major threat for many defences this season, and it won’t be different for quite an unathletic Wolves backline. 

With Jadon Sancho still absent and Anthony Martial and Antony only regaining their form back, the services of Rashford will be called upon once again to make the difference on Saturday lunchtime. 

Read More: Erik ten Hag gives message of hope to Aaron Wan-Bissaka amid recent Manchester United form

Wolverhampton Wanderers — João Moutinho

Despite the rejuvenation of Wolves’ attacking endeavour, it’s still their midfield that they look towards to make the difference in the opposition half, and one player who continues to make that difference time after time again is João Moutinho. 

At 36, Moutinho still has a vital role within his side. 

He is looked upon as a driving force in midfield, with his set-piece delivery and incisive passing in the final third often being a direct way to goal for this Wolves side — he showed that in Wolves’ previous game against Everton. 

Julen Lopetegui, just like he has many times in his career, has looked towards his midfielders to be the differential for his sides — Luka Modrić at Real Madrid and Ivan Rakitić at Sevilla. 

Moutinho isn’t going to have many games left in his career to show the quality he has possessed in the past. He has been a thorn in United’s bush before, and there will be no surprise if he is the difference maker once again.