The first week of Premier League action concludes tonight when Manchester United welcome Wolves to Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag has been working hard over the summer to update United’s squad with many fringe players being shipped out. The likes of Phil Jones, Alex Telles and Anthony Elanga have all left the club and not even big names such as David De Gea have survived Ten Hag’s overhaul.
In bringing new signings, Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund, to the club the United boss hopes to add depth to his team as he looks to improve on a third place finish from last season. The Red Devils are looking to kick off their campaign with a victory and will be banking on Marcus Rashford replicating his incredible form from last year.
Wolves, meanwhile, are in a state of flux. They’re going through something of a rebuild themselves with a couple of key players exiting this summer. Adama Traore is out the door and Ruben Neves has been lured to Saudi Arabia. The midlands club still have a committed group of players though they’ll be hoping Gary O’Neil has the acumen to get the best out of them after the former Bournemouth boss replaced Julen Lopetegui earlier this month.
Follow all the action as Manchester United host Wolves in the Premier League:
Manchester United vs Wolves
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Man Utd host Wolves in the Premier League
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Andre Onana makes league debut and Mason Mount also starts
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Gary O’Neil takes charge of Wolves for the first time since signing on as manager
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Man Utd XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Garnacho.
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Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Joao Gomes; Nunes, Sarabia, Neto; Cunha.
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12’ CHANCE! – Rashford’s effort is kept out by Sa (MUN 0-0 WOL)
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:29 , Mike Jones
26 mins: Chance! Wolves slickly play the ball out from there own box and send it up to Matheus Cunha. He avoids a lunging tackle from Casemiro then shrugs off Lisandro Martinez.
Wolves have a three on two advantage as they approach the penalty area. Cunha passes the ball to the left where Pablo Sarabia drills a low shot at goal.
It takes a slight deflection off Raphael Varane and bobbles wide of the far post!
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:26 , Mike Jones
24 mins: Aaron Wan-Bissaka takes out Matheus Nunes deep in Wolves’ half. The visitors attempt to play the free kick quickly and get Matheus Cunha into space on the left wing but the pass goes straight out of play.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:23 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Andre Onana shows why he was brought in when he floats a diagonal pass over to Alejandro Garnacho on the left wing.
Garnacho brings the ball down and looks to take on Nelson Semedo but the defender is too strong and clever for the youngster. He holds his ground and gets between the Argentine and the ball before offloading it to safety.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:20 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Antony bombs it down the right wing before cutting inside and losing the ball. Wolves transition it quickly and fire Pedro Neto into space behind a forward thinking Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Antony tries to sprint back to recover the ball but he’s not fast enough meaning Lisandro Martinez has to come across to cover. The Argentina leaps into a sliding tackle, takes out Neto and earns himself a yellow card.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:17 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Rayan Ai-Nouri avoids a yellow card after a clear foul on Antony over by the right wing. He shoved the winger to the deck and lifted his arms in innocence.
United don’t utilise the free kick and instead send the ball back to Andre Onana to build another attack from the back.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:14 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Chance! Marcus Rashford gets into the game having been slipped into the right side of the box. He collects the ball and pings a shot towards the near post but Jose Sa has it covered and makes a decent save to deny the United forward.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:13 , Mike Jones
11 mins: Manchester United haven’t been great so far. They want to control possession and tempo but Wolves are pushing the hosts back and winning the ball in good areas.
Matheus Nunes makes a fine run down the left side and flicks the ball around Raphael Varane. He thinks he’s won Wolves a corner but the referee points for a goal kick.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:09 , Mike Jones
8 mins: Alejandro Garnacho slides into a 50/50 challenge and wins the ball ahead of Pablo Sarabia who clips the youngster with his follow through.
United are awarded a free kick and work the ball over to the right side of the pitch where they earn themselves a corner. Mason Mount is tasked with delivering it into box.
He whips it straight at Jose Sa who punches it away under threat before Wolves are awarded a free kick for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:07 , Mike Jones
5 mins: Manchester United are being put under heavy pressure inside their own final third as Wolves press high. Erik ten Hag wants his team to be able to play out from the back and they’re certainly trying to do so.
It hasn’t been entirely effective yet.
Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:05 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Nelson Semedo receives the ball in the middle of the pitch and flies forward up the pitch. Casemiro is forced to retreat and slides into a tackle as Semedo looks to chip the ball into the box.
His pass bounces out of play and the referee awards a goal kick. That was a good run from the Wolves right-back though and United were caught on their heels a bit.
Kick off! Man Utd 0-0 Wolves
20:03 , Mike Jones
Bruno Fernandes kicks off the game at Old Trafford. He sends the ball back to Casemiro who passes it over to Luke Shaw. The home side whether a quick press from Wolves and give the ball to Andre Onana, the goalkeeper tasked with replacing David De Gea.
The ball is knocked out of play on United’s right side and the hosts win a throw in.
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:58 , Mike Jones
Here come the players!
Bruno Fernandes and Max Kilman lead their respective sides out onto the pitch at Old Trafford. Manchester United will be hoping to get an early win under their belts and emulate the likes of Newcastle and Manchester City.
Kick off is up next…
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:52 , Mike Jones
Marcus Rashford scored 20 goals in 30 games at Old Trafford in all competitions last term – only Erling Haaland, with 35, netted more at home for a Premier League club in 2022-23.
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:46 , Mike Jones
Wolves scored just 12 Premier League away goals in 2022/23 and only West Ham, with 11, had a worse record. Will Matheus Cunha celebrate his permanent contract with a goal tonight?
19:42 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag says Harry Maguire needs to be confident enough to fight for his place or else he would be better off leaving the club.
Manchester United have accepted a £30m bid from West Ham for the former captain but he has been named in tonight’s matchday squad.
“He has the ability to be a top-class centre-back,” said Ten Hag, “He is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us?
“But he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to go, then he has to make a decision. But I’m happy with him.”
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:38 , Mike Jones
Wolves are winless in their previous eight Premier League away matches (two draws, six defeats), losing the last four in a row by an aggregate score of 15-1.
It is their longest losing run on the road since their return to the top flight in 2018.
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:34 , Mike Jones
Manchester United conceded 10 Premier League home goals last season, fewer than any other side. Andre Onana will have big shoes to fill as he takes over as the No. 1 goalkeeper for the club.
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:30 , Mike Jones
Wolves are in danger of losing their opening league fixture in three successive seasons for the first time since 1988-1990. Can they avoid defeat at Old Trafford or somehow go on to win?
Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury
19:26 , Mike Jones
Manchester United face a decision whether to keep Dean Henderson after their third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton was ruled out for several weeks.
United have been in talks with Nottingham Forest for weeks and were willing to allow the England international to leave after signing Andre Onana.
But the veteran Heaton was injured in training and, while United are waiting to discover the full extent, he is certain to miss their first few fixtures.
Dean Henderson future uncertain after Manchester United goalkeeper injury
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:21 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag’s side have won their last six top-flight matches at Old Trafford. It is six years since they had better run at home, winning eight straight league games between May and November 2017.
19:17 , Mike Jones
Manchester United are undefeated in 29 home matches in all competitions, with 25 wins and four draws, since losing 1-0 to Real Sociedad in the Europa League on 8th September 2022.
Will they extend that run this evening?
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:13 , Mike Jones
Wolves’ only clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League away matches was a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on 31 August 2022, a game which, coincidentally, was Gary O’Neil’s first as Cherries boss.
Man Utd vs Wolves
19:09 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have won their opening Premier League match on 20 occasions but have started with a defeat in two of the previous three seasons.
They lost to Brighton on the opening weekend last August but are unbeaten in their subsequent 18 Premier League home fixtures (15 wins, three draws), conceding just eight goals in this run.
Man Utd vs Wolves line-ups
19:04 , Mike Jones
Andre Onana is handed a debut in goal for Manchester United with Mason Mount also starting in his competitive debut for the club. Elsewhere, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is favoured over Diogo Dalot and Marcus Rashford starts as the centre forward.
Max Kilman captains Wolves after signing a five-year deal and Matheus Cunha starts up top after making his loan move to Wolves permanent this summer.
Manchester United vs Wolves line-ups
19:01 , Mike Jones
Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Garnacho.
Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Joao Gomes; Nunes, Sarabia, Neto; Cunha.
Man United will not ‘rush’ Rasmus Hojlund back to fitness
18:55 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag is excited by Rasmus Hojlund’s long-term future and confident Manchester United can cope without the injured new boy during the opening weeks of the season.
Despite a long-term interest in England captain Harry Kane, the Red Devils instead plumped for potential by signing the talented 20-year-old from Atalanta.
Hojlund joined last weekend in a £64million deal that could rise to £72million, but United fans will have to wait to see their new striker.
Man United will not ‘rush’ Rasmus Hojlund back to fitness – Erik ten Hag
What will Wolves’ gameplan be?
18:50 , Mike Jones
“It’s about getting everybody fully committed to the game plan and what we are,” said Gary O’Neil when asked how he plans to tackle Manchester United this evening.
“It’s early, we’ll have only been together three or four days before the game, but it’s a Premier League game, away at Manchester United, so we need everybody committed to everything we’ve got and see if we can pull off a really good positive result on our first outing.
“It won’t be anything too complicated, there will be some detail to go into the game and how we go about it, but the message from me to the group, to the supporters and to everyone involved will be to attack a game at Old Trafford, see where we can get to, see how we can perform and see where that gets us on the evening, dust ourselves down and go again.”
Ten Hag on improving his team
18:45 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag was asked how he hopes to build on an impressive debut season at Old Trafford.
“First of all, to keep that foundation. And it’s not normal that you have a season like last season, [when your home stadium is] like a fortress,” he said,
“We remember all the fights we were in, and we have to go again and to put 100 per cent effort in, in every game, but also in every training session to be ready for the fight. But we are looking forward to the fight. We are so, so excited for the fight. So that’s good.”
The Manchester United boss also added: “Yeah, it’s always a pleasure to enter Old Trafford and that is great. But it doesn’t matter if you play home or away. We have to win.”
Gary O’Neil previews tonight’s match against Man Utd
18:40 , Mike Jones
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil believes that tonight’s clash against Man Utd will be a big test for his team but he is looking forward to taking it on.
“It will be a big test. It always is,” said the Wolves manager, “When Wolves went there last season it was a big test, when I went there with Bournemouth last season it was a big test, when Man City go there it’s a big test, it’s a tough place to go, but I’m looking forwards to it.
“It’s a fantastic place to go and a massive place to take a team, and I’m proud to lead such a big club and go and compete at a top stadium against a top side.
“Of course, we want to come away with something, so a lot of work still to be done over the next 48 hours to make sure we’re ready.”
Erik ten Hag sends strong message to Harry Maguire as Manchester United exit looms
18:35 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag has told Harry Maguire to go to West Ham if he is not confident enough to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have accepted a £30m bid from the Hammers for their former captain, who has dropped out of the team as Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have become the first-choice centre-back partnership.
But while Ten Hag insisted he wants to keep Maguire as he hopes to have two players for every spot in the side, he believes the England international should go if he does not believe he can get back into the side.
Erik ten Hag sends strong message to Harry Maguire as Manchester United exit looms
Erik ten Hag is excited for the new season
18:30 , Mike Jones
Speaking ahead of tonight’s match Erik ten Hag spoke to Manchester United’s website and explained how he is excited to kick off the new Premier League season.
“I’m excited, of course,” he said, “There’s always a lot of preparation for the manager, it starts really in an early moment. But for the players, six weeks, five weeks and then you want to have a proper game, a real game, and the team is ready for it.
“We are in a very good level. We know that, when we see all the data, we are so much further than last season. So, we are in a good place for fitness levels.”
Manchester United vs Wolves
18:25 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have only been defeated once in their last 12 home league games against Wolves with eight wins and three draws.
That defeat was a 1-0 loss in January 2022, when Joao Moutinho scored the winner. Wolves have lost five of the last six league meetings.
Gary O’Neil on facing Manchester United first up
18:20 , Mike Jones
Former Bournemouth boss, Gary O’Neil, has taken charge at Wolves and his first match is tonight against Manchester United. Here’s what he had to say about taking on the Red Devils.
“They’re a good side, a very good side, and I watched a fair bit of them in pre-season, but I’ve still got more to do,” said O’Neil,
“They’ve had some good performances and some fantastic players, and I think they will be better than they were last season from what I’ve seen, so it’s going to be a big challenge.
“The big challenge for me will be that every other club in the league have been working towards this game for six weeks in a certain way and we’ve had a very different pre-season to that and have been working in a different way until four or five days to go.
“But there are no excuses in there and I’m aware we have a Premier League game on Monday, so I want to make sure the group is as ready as we can be.”
Fred completes move from Manchester United to Fenerbahce
18:16 , Mike Jones
Manchester United midfielder Fred has completed his transfer to Fenerbahce.
United announced a deal had been agreed between the two clubs on Friday and the Brazil international travelled to Turkey on Saturday for a medical and to discuss terms.
Both happened without an issue, so Fred heads to Istanbul in a move worth an initial 10million euros (£8.6m) rising to a possible 15m euros (£12.9m).
Fred completes move from Manchester United to Fenerbahce
Man Utd vs Wolves prediction
18:12 , Mike Jones
Manchester United will open their campaign with a hard-fought for victory against a Wolves side that tend to play well against the Red Devils.
Manchester United 2-0 Wolves.
Predicted line-ups
18:08 , Mike Jones
It’s still not clear how the managers will decide to line-up their two teams with strong options throughout both squads. Based on pre-season games though here’s how we see the teams lining-up tonight:
Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Garnacho.
Wolves XI: Sa; Doherty, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Lemina, Joao Gomes; Nunes, Sarabia, Neto; Cunha.
Manchester United vs Wolves early team news
18:04 , Mike Jones
Manchester United’s new striker, Rasmus Hojlund, will not feature in their opening match as he fights off a niggling injury while there are doubts over Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo.
Andre Onana will make his Premier League debut for the club as goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Dean Henderson are definitely ruled out.
Wolves have confirmed that they do not have any injury concerns ahead of the game with defender Matt Doherty primed to start after returning to the club this summer.
When is Manchester United vs Wolves?
18:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester United vs Wolves is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Monday 14 August at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage from 6.30pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via the Sky Go app.
Man Utd vs Wolves
17:21 , Mike Jones
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Premier League as this opening round of fixtures comes to a close when Manchester United host Wolves at Old Trafford tonight.
Erik ten Hag is hoping that overhauling his United squad this summer will breed a new brand of discipline into his players. The likes of David De Gea, Fred and Phil Jones have been moved on with reinforcements arriving in Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.
Marcus Rashford will be hoping to repeat his impressive performances from last year while Alejandro Garnacho hopes to nail down a starting place.
Similarly, Wolves have let some long-term players leave the club with Ruben Neves, Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez moving on to pastures new. They have a new manager in Gary O’Neil and will hope to pull off a shock result at Old Trafford this evening.
Kick off for this one is at 8pm and we’ll have all the build-up, updates and team news so stick with us.