WOLVERHAMPTON, Aug 29: Manchester United teenager Mason Greenwood scored for a third successive game to clinch a 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton on Sunday.
The 19-year-old striker’s scoring run has come just as United prepares for the second debut of Cristiano Ronaldo after the international break, 12 years after the Portugal star left Old Trafford.
There was an assist from France World Cup winner Raphael Varane, who marked his debut by providing the pass for Greenwood to score in the 80th minute.
Wolves were fuming and claimed Ruben Neves was fouled by United midfielder Paul Pogba in the buildup, with their protests rejected by referee Mike Dean.
United goalkeeper David De Gea had kept the score level before Greenwood’s winner after pulling off a sensational double save from Romain Saiss with about 20 minutes to go. He parried the defender’s header and then spread himself to thwart a follow-up from point blank range.
United has seven points from three games, while Wolves has lost every match 1-0 so far.
Ronaldo’s presence was felt as Manchester United beat Wolves in their first game since announcing they had reached an agreement to re-sign the forward.
Ronaldo was not at Molineux but United’s travelling fans sang his name, with United expected to confirm the arrival of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner from Juventus in the coming days for £12.8m.
On the pitch, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were second-best to a lively Wolves for long periods before Greenwood scored a contentious late winner.
Wolves felt Neves was fouled in the build-up but the goal was allowed to stand.
Wolves could have been 3-0 up inside 15 minutes, with Raul Jimenez forcing de Gea into an early save, Aaron Wan-Bissaka making a goal-saving block to deny Trincao and Joao Moutinho volleying over after a mistake by Jadon Sancho.
United were second best for long periods and it required a spectacular double save by De Gea from Romain Saiss to prevent Wolves from taking the lead before Greenwood’s finish.
Carboard cutouts and ‘Viva Ronaldo’ chants
There was a carnival atmosphere at Molineux. Wolves fans were excited at the arrival of new striker Hwang Hee-chan – who was presented on the pitch after arriving from RB Leipzig – while United’s travelling supporters sang about Ronaldo from start to finish.
Chants of ‘Viva Ronaldo’ could be heard outside the ground two hours before kick-off.
Inside Molineux, United fans wore CR7 T-shirts, held up ‘welcome back Ronaldo’ signs and wore replica shirts with his name on the back.
Supporters also displayed a cardboard cutout of Ronaldo, while Solskjaer spoke excitedly before the match about the imminent return of the 36-year-old.
“I’m excited to keep building this squad. He will bring something completely different,” said the United boss.
“Hopefully Cristiano can come in and show what he has done in his career.
“I am sure he likes all the talk about being old. Make it personal and he will show what he can do.”
Familiar story for Wolves
Wolves remain without a point under new boss Bruno Lage after a third successive 1-0 defeat.
The unparalleled pace of Adama Traore ensured his side started on the front foot against a United side who struggled to hit the heights of their opening-weekend win over Leeds.
However, it was a familiar ending for Wolves. Having managed 15 attempts on target in their opening three games, they have yet to score and and have now lost their past six League matches.
It was always going to be a challenging start for Lage against Leicester, Tottenham and United. (Agencies)
