Man Utd lose again as Ruben Amorim writes off Premier League – 5 talking points

MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 WOLVES: Pablo Sarabia’s free kick offered a rare moment of quality to earn Wolves victory and move them level on points with Manchester United at Old Trafford

Pablo Sarabia produced a spectacular free-kick to send Manchester United to defeat once again at Old Trafford, days on from Ruben Amorim admitting he will now prioritise the Europa League. The two teams threatened to play out a drab draw before a special strike from Wolves’ Spain international, earned the visitors a fifth win in a row.

The Theatre of Dreams risked putting the audience to sleep at times during the opening half, with neither side proving much of a threat. Discounting a Christian Eriksen free kick, the first 45 minutes didn’t see a shot on target.

The sides cancelled each other out with their respective back threes and found little room for ambition. With little for either team to play for in the final six matches, you would hope for a degree of freedom and risk but none was on display for much of the game.

Ruben Amorim called upon the cavalry before 60 minutes was on the clock as Bruno Fernandes entered the fray, alongside Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot. But it remained easy to see why United have only beaten one team outside the bottom three in 2025, even if they were scarcely threatened themselves.

A rare run from Matheus Cunha earned Wolves a free kick in a good position and substitute Sarabia took full advantage after 77 minutes to see Wolves pull level with United in the Premier League. Mirror Football takes a look at the talking points to arise from the clash.

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Blooding youngsters

Ruben Amorim admitted following United’s dramatic win over Lyon the Premier League would become a platform for utilising the club’s young stars. The Portuguese coach went on to admit, now is not an ideal time for youngsters to be making their way into the first team environment.

“I think it is not the best moment or the best season to put some kids to play, because, again, they need a strong base to really show what they can do,” said Amorim. “But in this moment we need to do it and sometimes you have surprises.”

Are the prospects meant to be happy after that? Nevertheless, Amorim stuck to his word and 20-year-old Tyler Fredricson earned his first team debut as part of a back three, with Harry Amass the wing-back to his left.

The pair offered more than most to cheer about with solid performances. Fredricson stifled Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Amass working up and down the flank well. At least they could be afforded some time to develop.

Luke Shaw’s absence

The fitness of Luke Shaw is always going to be much debated, but the defender’s absence on this occasion was not as a result of an injury setback. The England international played 75 minutes against Lyon on Thursday having only played 12 minutes following his return from injury previous to that.

Instead of participating at Old Trafford, Shaw trained at Carrington earlier in the day as the club manage his fitness having spent most of the season out injured. The full-back has plenty to do to prove his merits before the summer however.

Protests continue

While there has been little to be happy about on the pitch this season, United supporters continue to highlight other problems at the club. Protests over rising ticket prices at Old Trafford were again present as signs were shown towards the directors’ box.

The messages continue be shown around the world via broadcast cameras but the message cannot be ignored by the club. Chief executive Omar Berrada is sure to have seen the discontent sent in his direction and for much of the match, there was little to distract from it.

After an eighth home defeat of the season, there’s little sign of things improving on or off the pitch in the Premier League, before the end of 2024/25.

No Fernandes, no fun?

It says a lot about Manchester United that Wolves arrived at Old Trafford as favourites in the eyes of many. Despite the Red Devils sitting three places above Vitor Pereira’s side, more appeared to be expected of the likes of Matheus Cunha and co, particularly when Bruno Fernandes was listed among the substitutes.

The Portuguese midfielder has often been the only source of quality and entertainment at United, and there was only a dirge of that on offer on Sunday afternoon. Christian Eriksen did his best to remind spectators of his incisive passing, ahead of his contract expiring in the summer, and his set-piece delivery provided more threat than anything else.

But it was not enough for Amorim to let play go on without his talisman as Fernandes entered the fold before the hour mark. The Red Devils found themselves in better areas from this point but after starting a smart move, even Fernandes could only remarkably fire wide from a good position in the 74th-minute.

As the league table suggests, Fernandes is not enough to turn things around at United by himself.

Is a new forward the answer?

Perhaps it is unfair to judge United on the efforts of a rotated team but it appeared it was the same question that were on display at Old Trafford against Wolves. United did not offer enough threat as they attempted to add to their paltry 38 goals in 33 matches this season.

Rasmus Hojlund had just eight touches in the opening half suggesting that the system or players around him were as much an issue as his own performance. The Dane offered an exquisite touch on the halfway line to break past Wolves’ backline in the second period, but ultimately he slowed down and failed to shoot or make a pass before being tackled.

So often it simply wasn’t good enough. After Thursday, maybe there’s an argument a Harry Maguire figure would get on the end of some tempting crosses produced by Amass and Patrick Dorgu. United also may need to find some new methods of attack.

United have already been linked to Matheus Cunha already this season, but the Brazilian was fairly anonymous. The 25-year-old made a telling contribution to earn Wolves a match-winning free kick however.

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