In a match that shattered Manchester United’s fading momentum, Wolverhampton Wanderers clawed their way to a seismic 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, leaving the Theatre of Dreams shrouded in stunned silence. The visitors, relentless in their hunger, sealed their first league win at the historic ground since 1980 with a dramatic 82nd-minute strike by Portuguese star Pedro Neto, rewriting the script on a night where United’s attacking spark fizzled into oblivion.
The game began with United probing cautiously, but Wolves’ ferocious midfield trio of João Gomes, Mario Lemina, and Boubacar Traoré snapped at every pass, turning the center circle into a battleground. Alejandro Garnacho danced down the left early, forcing a sharp save from José Sá, while Marcus Rashford’s curling effort kissed the crossbar, denying the Red Devils an opener. Yet, as chances slipped through United’s fingers—Bruno Fernandes skying a close-range volley, Rasmus Højlund misjudging a header—Wolves grew bolder.
Neto, a blur of pace and precision, haunted United’s backline all evening. His moment arrived when substitute Pablo Sarabia threaded a defense-splitting pass, sending Neto streaking clear. With a drop of the shoulder, he left Raphaël Varane stumbling before slotting coolly past André Onana, igniting delirium in the away end.
United’s late desperation saw Scott McTominay’s header clawed off the line by Max Kilman and a penalty shout waved away, but Wolves’ resolve held firm. Goalkeeper Sá emerged a hero, denying Antony in stoppage time with a fingertip save that epitomized Wolves’ grit.
Erik ten Hag’s side, now winless in three league games, face mounting questions as their top-four hopes dim. For Wolves, this scalp under Gary O’Neil signals a resurgence—a pack reborn, hunting as one. On a night where hunger met hesitation, the howl of Wolves echoed loudest.
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