The England striker was brought to the bench after being dropped from the starting XI for a disciplinary violation, scoring the opening goal with less than 15 minutes left of the game. Remember they went above Tottenham to take 4th place. Here are a few things you might have missed in this game.
Message to all MU
Even before the World Cup, Rashford has been said to be Man United’s most stable player. But this is another Manchester United, with a coach holding the army with an iron fist.
The decision to remove the striker for disciplinary violations sent a message to the dressing room that whoever they are, they have to be disciplined. Unlike Ronaldo, there was no sulking when Rashford was brought on, he fouled and corrected in a short time. That will be a lesson for every player on the team. Ten Hag’s celebration for Rashford’s goal shows they really don’t have a problem.
Ten Hag is praised for his decisions.
The lost coach meets the lost team
Julen Lopetegui has been rumored to become MU coach after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked. Instead, United opted for Ralf Rangnick before switching to Ten Hag in the summer. And these two coaches could hardly have had more contrasting styles on the touchline. While Ten Hag calmly sat down, Lopetegui kept walking and gesticulating. Perhaps MU fans are satisfied with the choice of the club.
An unexpected ending
When United visited Molineux last season, there was a giant cardboard picture of Cristiano Ronaldo in the packed away area. Only then did he return to MU and was still the focus of the world, and few could predict the end of this story.
A year and a half later, the previous praise for Ronaldo, an icon, was given to youngster Alejandro Garnacho. While Wolves supporters mocked the opponent when he started singing about CR7.
The wolves are angry about Casemiro
Lopetegui was full of praise for Casemiro, his old game at both Porto and Real Madrid. But that sentiment was quickly thrown out the window, as soon as the game started. The Spaniard reacted furiously after the midfielder fouled Ruben Neves, then further angered when Casemiro was only shown a yellow card for a foul on Daniel Podence. After the foul, Lopetegui ran towards the referee and held up two fingers, indicating that the Brazilian should have been sent off.
Casemiro excels in many ways.
Ten Hag’s Extended Arms
Casemiro may have only been at United for a few months, but his importance to Manchester United and Erik ten Hag is undeniable. The veteran midfielder is the bridge between the coach and the players, constantly being called up to the touchline.
On one such occasion, Ten Hag called Casemiro – holding a tactical board – to give instructions for him to pass on to his teammates.
Thanh Vu | 12:59 January 1, 2023
