Man Utd vs Wolves preview
After taking consecutive beating away from home and making a meal of a straightforward top-four race, Manchester United are finally back to the comforts of Old Trafford as they host Wolves in an effort to get back in their groove.
Wolves have experienced a sensational turnaround under Julen Lopetegui. Bottom of the table at Christmas, they’ve taken 30 points from 20 games since as Lopetegui has steered them away from relegation. They are 13th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Red Devils will take solace in the fact that they finally had a week’s break between games due to their elimination from Europa League. From now till the end of the season, their four fixtures will come with a week’s break. Erik ten Hag will hope the fatigue factor subsides as players focus all their effort on securing a top-four place next season.
Here’s the Man Utd vs Wolves preview, prediction, lineups, and more-
Man Utd vs Wolves lineups
Man Utd predicted lineup
With a clearing injury slate outside of long-term absentees like Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Scott McTominay, Erik ten Hag has no reason to not play his strongest team due to a good turnaround time between games now.
Despite his error-prone form, David de Gea is a surety to start in goal. The fullback duo should remain constant with Diogo Dalot continuing his refashioned left-back role and Aaron Wan-Bissaka locking down attackers on his right.
This arrangement leaves Luke Shaw free to continue in the middle of the park with Victor Lindelof, which means another benched game for Harry Maguire.
The midfield of Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen suffered their first defeat at West Ham as a trio in 21 games but remain United’s strongest midfield by some distance. Their places won’t be under threat. Erik ten Hag would hope the trio returns in good form after being invigorated due to a week’s rest.
The rest should also ensure Erik ten Hag feels comfortable in fielding Anthony Martial down the middle in the attack. He will be flanked by Marcus Rashford and Antony. Martial is going through a cold streak but needs to finish on a high as Red Devils speed up their chase for a striker in the summer.
Jadon Sancho and injury-returnee Alejandro Garnacho would hope to get the opportunity to impress against tired legs when coming off the bench.
Predicted Man Utd lineup: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Shaw, Dalot, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
Wolves predicted lineup
Julen Lopetegui’s luck with regard to injuries has been brilliant. Sasa Kalajdzic and Chinquinho are long-term absentees who have been out for the season earlier. No other name is added to the list.
That means another start for the ever-reliable Jose Sa in goal. He, along with Max Kilman, has played every minute of every game in the PL this season and that’s not about to change.
Nathan Collins should partner Kilman in central defence with Nelson Semedo and Jonny flanking them on fullback spots.
Wolves’ first-choice Portuguese midfield pairing of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho should continue after Moutinho was rested against Aston Villa. They will be eager to make their mark as it could be the last few games of their Wolves career.
Dribbling menace Adama Traore should start on the right with Matheus Nunes on the left. A strike partnership of Diego Costa and Hwang-Hee Chan could be preferred here for their pressing and running.
Predicted Wolves lineup: Sa, Semedo, Kilman, Collins, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Traore, Nunes, Costa, Hwang-Hee Chan.
Man Utd vs Wolves prediction
Manchester United’s story of the season has been simple. Poor away from home, nearly unbeatable at home. Now with a week’s rest between games, playing against a Wolves side already safe from relegation and no prospects for European qualification, this is a game United should really be winning.
Look for the Old Trafford faithful to boost their team to a comfortable victory here with a professional performance. A clean sheet would do wonders for David de Gea’s confidence so solid defence should be United’s focus in this one.
FootTheBall predicts Man Utd 2-0 Wolves.