After the 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, MU faced many difficulties in the battle with Wolves, the team is gradually improving with Jules Lopetegui.
MU overcome difficulties to enter the top 4.
Lopetegui – who almost led MU before Erik ten Hag appeared – has just brought Wolves’ first victory in the Premier League after a long crisis. If counted on all fronts, it is 2 consecutive wins.
On the Molineux field, Bruno Fernandes showed the values that he used to do at the 2022 World Cup. Eriksen was also locked in by the mobility from the Wolves midfield.
The attack with the trio of Antony, Martial and Garnacho hardly created any effect. The fact that Malacia kicked the left-back and Luke Shaw took on the role of central defender also reduced the attacking power of MU’s left wing.
Garnacho lost his sharpness even when facing goalkeeper Jose Sa. Martial became clumsy with erratic form. Meanwhile, Antony has only one type of kick and is easily caught.
When MU played at a stalemate, Ten Hag decided to throw Marcus Rashford on the field and a different football was created between the second half.
Rashford hit the wall with Bruno Fernandes and then entered the box, dancing confidently among the Wolves defenders and knocking Jose Sa.
Rashford came on and scored a masterpiece.
Rashford’s only goal helped MU win 3 consecutive matches since the 2022 World Cup break. If counted before, the “Red Devils” have a series of 5 consecutive victories on all fronts.
This victory helps MU enter the top 4 of the Premier League, the highest ranking they have since the beginning of the season. Tottenham will regain this position if they win Aston Villa, but then the London team will play more than 1 match.
The Mark of Rashford and Ten Hag’s Discipline
“Everybody has to meet the standards and the rules,” said Ten Hag of the decision to drop Rashford from the starting XI against Wolves. “We need consistency. That’s also what I expect on the pitch, otherwise the team can hardly succeed.”
Rashford returned from Qatar in impressive form, as he netted Burnley in the League Cup and opened the scoring against Nottingham Forest.
However, the 25-year-old fell asleep and was late for the team meeting. That got him disciplined by Ten Hag.
Rashford shines after accepting Ten Hag’s rule.
“I was a bit late. I slept too much”, Rashford did not defend himself, but accepted the requirements that Ten Hag made. “It’s a team rule.”
Ten Hag’s rule forced Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford and Rashford did not want to follow the same path.
“I was disappointed not to play but I understand the problem. We are at a good time and I am satisfied with the way the team has developed.”
Rashford has just scored his 12th Premier League goal when coming on as a substitute. There are only two MU players more effective than him: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (17 goals) and Chicharito (14).
Notably, 5 of these 12 goals decided the victory for MU. This is a record in Premier League history.
Returning from the 2022 World Cup and scoring in 3 consecutive games (now with 11 goals in the season, more than double that of second best teammate Martial with 5 goals), Rashford continues to mature to become a became the leader of MU under the rule of Ten Hag.
Ngoc Huy | 11:00 01/01/2023
