Wolves Dominate 10-Man Manchester United As Bruno Fernandes Sees Red.
Wolves secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester United, continuing their perfect start under new manager Vitor Pereira. The match saw United captain Bruno Fernandes sent off for the third time this season, a setback that ultimately tipped the scales in Wolves’ favour.
Fernandes received his marching orders just two minutes into the second half after picking up a second yellow card. Having already been sent off against Tottenham and Porto earlier in the campaign, his dismissal further exposed United’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Wolves capitalised on their numerical advantage in the 58th minute when Matheus Cunha scored directly from a corner. This marked the second time in three games United conceded from such a set piece, echoing Son Heung-min’s similar goal for Tottenham last week.
The match was sealed deep into added time when Cunha set up Hwang Hee-chan for a clinical finish, sending the Molineux crowd into raptures and ensuring a second consecutive league win under Pereira.
Wolves’ new boss, Vitor Pereira, has revitalised the team, with this win marking their first home victory over United since 2019. Pereira praised Cunha’s individual quality, stating, “He’s a player who can reach high standards in this league. His skill and creativity were crucial today.”
Cunha’s inventive first-half effort from a corner hinted at his audacious goal, which he later confirmed was intentional. Speaking post-match, Cunha said, “We train to shoot like that. This time, I was lucky, and it worked.”
Manchester United’s defensive frailty remains a growing concern. Rúben Amorim’s side have now suffered five defeats in their last seven games across all competitions. The loss of Fernandes for the upcoming match against Newcastle and the suspension of midfielder Manuel Ugarte only adds to United’s woes.
Amorim’s attempts to stabilise the team have fallen short, with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth also exploiting their defensive lapses in recent weeks.
Wolves, buoyed by Cunha’s brilliance and Pereira’s tactical acumen, are on an upward trajectory. The Brazilian forward has now netted 10 goals this season, solidifying his status as a key player for the club.
Meanwhile, Manchester United face mounting pressure to turn their season around as they prepare for their next Premier League encounter, desperate to regain form and confidence.
This match underscored the contrasting fortunes of two teams heading in opposite directions, with Wolves riding a wave of optimism and United searching for answers.