Manchester United gained a crucial three points away from Wolverhampton Wanderers, moving them up to seventh place in the Premier League.

The intense match concluded 4-3, making for excellent viewing for the neutral but a nail-biting contest for those involved due to wasted opportunities and plenty of last-minute action.

Overall, Erik ten Hag will be happy with his team, and this outcome may mark the beginning of a much-needed streak of success.

How the Wolves game transpired

Marcus Rashford’s off-field behaviour this week has drawn criticism, but he hushed those voices in the first five minutes with an incredible strike. With a point to prove, United emerged from the tunnel, and in the 22nd minute, Rasmus Hojlund—who went on to win Player of the Match—had given them their second.

Before the half, Ten Hag’s team had two more goals disallowed for offside. In what was perhaps their greatest half of the season, the visitors had eight shots on goal, 1.38 xG, and only 0.16 xGC.

The Erik Ten Hag Profile
With 20 minutes remaining, Wolves was awarded a highly contentious penalty, which put United in the same panic mentality we’ve seen all season. Despite this, it appeared as though United would easily win. Nevertheless, Scott McTominay’s goal from a corner four minutes later allayed such fears.

In the ninetieth minute, Pedro Neto scored a goal to tie the score at three points after United mishandled the ball in their own corner. With a few minutes remaining, Kobbie Mainoo, who is eighteen, fortunately was there to slip past the Wanderers’ defence and curl home.

Wolves vs. Andre Onana and Antony

For the first time this season, United looked at ease playing out of the back, and Andre Onana did not do much wrong throughout the game. The Cameroonian star did, however, also have a few chaotic moments that might have cost his team the match on another occasion.

Man, Onana, Casamiro, United Ten, Hag, and Brentford
For instance, Lisandro Martinez cleared the ball off the line after the custodian failed to grab a cross due to misjudging the ball’s trajectory. His goals-against total was -0.40, perhaps because to his lack of guts in the second goal and his easy defeat at the near post in the third.

However, the following table presents some of Antony’s performance metrics during his brief cameo, which were largely unsatisfactory, earning him a 2/10 rating from the Manchester Evening News, and leading journalist Samuel Luckhurst to label him a “liability.”

Wolves versus Antony

Statistics

Anthony

Minutes

17

Attempts at dribbling (Succ)

4 (1)

Precise passing

2/4 (50%)

Lost of possession

Six

Battles (won)

7 (3)

Statistics sourced from Sofascore

The Brazilian failed to capitalise on his season-opening goal and assist against Newport County over the weekend despite playing just 17 minutes. In times of pressure, players must try to control the game and deny the opposition any opportunities to attack.

Premier League Manchester United Jayden Addai Antony Rasmus Hojlund
Nevertheless, as evidenced by his 50% pass accuracy, two passes in the whole game, six turnovers in possession, and 25% dribble success rate, the former Ajax player was incredibly inefficient and had appalling ball retention. In addition, the 23-year-old lost four of his seven duels, one of which resulted in a possession overturn that set up Wolves’ equaliser.

The £86 million mystery player had an evening to forget, and Ten Hag will have to decide whether to start him on the weekend or even take him off the bench.