Marcus Rashford started the day as public enemy No.1, but he came off the bench to hand Manchester United three points – sending them into the Champions League spots
Erik ten Hag continued his winning ways against a resolute Wolves side thanks to bad-boy Marcus Rashford.
Rashford went from zero to hero after he started the game on the naughty step, only to find himself notching the only goal of the game less than two hours later. Manchester United’s upturn in form continues as they moved into the top four of the Premier League.
Ten Hag’s side had to dig deep to earn the three points at Molineaux, as Wolves went until the full-time whistle. And Daily Star Sport is looking at everything the Dutchman got right – and what he got wrong on Saturday lunchtime.
Laying down the law
Before the game had even kicked off ten Hag had made headlines when he decided to drop Rashford due to “internal disciplinary” and he added: “No [details]. Our rules.”
Rashford has re-found his mojo under the Dutchman – after his form took a nose dive following Euro 2020. However, Ten Hag dropping Rashford, like he did Cristiano Ronaldo, continues to prove no man is bigger than the team.
However, Ten Hag did introduce Rashford for the second period – in place of Alejandro Garnacho, and the English man netted the winner deep into the second-half.
Failing to get Anthony Martial involved
In the opening period of the game, the Red Devils’ most dangerous attacker looked to be Anthony Martial – who had been given the nod up top.
However, as the game was stretched by Wolves, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes increasingly had less time on the ball leaving Martial isolated up front. Ten Hag didn’t respond to Martial’s plight at the top of the pitch.
Martial barely had a sniff in the second half, and United’s main threat on the Wolves net came from the two wingers.
Luke Shaw’s centre-back experiment
Due to various injuries, fitness issues, and suspensions – Ten Hag has been forced to play natural full-back in Luke Shaw in the centre of the backline.
However, Shaw has impressed at centre-back, not only on Saturday but also looking strong against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (27 December). Shaw had to deal with the threat of Diego Costa in the first half and then Adama Traore in the second.
Shaw was able to deal with both of the different threats, as United kept another clean sheet.
Managing the win
The Red Devils found themselves overrun in midfield for the majority of the clash – and Casemiro and Fred had to take drastic action on occasion to thwart a Wolves attack.
However, after Rashford’s winner, Ten Hag hooked Martial for Donny van de Beek to add some more stability to the midfield. United were able to take the clash by the scruff of its neck, seeing out a scrappy last period of the game.
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk
