Six things we learned as Manchester United beat Wolves

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Manchester United have beaten Wolves 1-0 at Molineux. Mason Greenwood scored the winner in the 80th minute.

Here is a look at six things we learned from the game…

Stealing a win

Mason Greenwood’s second half goal gave Manchester United a barely deserved lead.

Greenwood’s 32nd goal for United made it three in three games to start the season.

This goal came from wide on the right after United had brought on Edinson Cavani.

United had lived dangerously throughout the game, with Wolves creating the better chances. This was a sucker-punch goal to take United to seven points from nine games.

United start too slow in midfield

Manchester United lined up with Paul Pogba and Fred in central midfield. It is a combination which has previously struggled to win games.

For the first half an hour in particular it was very easy to see why, with Fred often left isolated and Wolves’ midfield of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho controlling the game.

This meant United struggled to create chances and lived dangerously as Wolves frequently surged forward.

Midfield has been the area United fans wanted addressed this summer more than any other, and it has not been. There are just two days left before the transfer deadline, and time is running out.

This game highlighted the issues which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must attempt to fix, and only after the goal did United begin to get control.

Varane’s presence is obvious

Adama Traore caused Manchester United all sorts of problems during the opening 45 minutes.

Twice he broke free running straight at debutant Raphael Varane. And on both occasions he thought better of taking the Frenchman on.

Traore passed the ball off both times, and United were able to clean up.

Varane has a huge, well-earned reputation, and it helped United out at Molineux. Attackers do not see him as a soft touch.

Pogba missed in final third

With Paul Pogba playing in the deeper midfield role, his attacking presence was missed in the final third.

A player who had five assists in his first two games saw his creative side blunted by being positioned further back. United were worse off for it.

When United did look dangerous it was from a long Pogba ball upfield over the top.

Trying to find the right balance for Pogba’s role and the rest of the team is a dilemma, which did not really work at Molineux, although it was not his fault that United’s starting front three were so disappointing.

Ineffective Sancho

Let’s not pretend Jadon Sancho’s first start in a Manchester United shirt was anywhere close to a success.

In the first couple of minutes he looked sharp with the ball at his feet, and that was as good as it got.

Compared to the way Adama was a constant menace for Wolves, Sancho barely provided a threat.

It was little surprise when he was substituted on 71 minutes without having a shot or creating a chance.

He will get better, and show why United paid the money to sign him. This game showed he is still getting tuned up.

De Gea at his best

David de Gea was once again outstanding in goal, saving United from going a goal down.

The Spaniard produced an outstanding double save in the second half from a corner to keep Wolves out.

When he was beaten in the first half, Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a brilliant sliding block to deny Trincao.

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