FA Cup 2019: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Manchester United - quarter final review

Can Wolves win the FA Cup? What now for United?

Current Bein Sports pundit, Andy Gray (centre), in his playing days celebrating with Wolves

Wolves' last major trophy was the 1980 League Cup win at the Old Wembley Stadium, in which current Bein Sports and former Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray scored the winner.

Whilst the rest of the 1980s was bad for Wolves, and they languished in the lower divisions for much of the 1990s, they are looking re-establish themselves as a regular Premier League force, despite a few appearances in the 2000s and 2010s. They have won the league several times in their history.

Could Wolves be returning to the big time once more, and emulate their 1980 success? Who knows? They clearly have a good manager in Nuno Espirito Santo and the financial/strategic backing of their owners. Fosun International, from China, is investing in a large way in the West Midlands-based club, and they could be a force in the near future. Manchester City at this point are favourites, and rightly so given their qualities. But Wolves could be a dark horse and bring back the FA Cup to their "den".

Ole's goal in Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich helped secure arguably Sir Alex's greatest United victory

Manchester United, on the other hand, need to re-group somewhat. The winning run, after Jose Mourinho was sacked, was pleasing, though it was as much as a reinvigoration in the atmosphere than any supreme tactical nous.

Some have said, in both jest and seriousness, that Sir Alex Ferguson is assisting Solskjaer. Despite his recent health issues, Sir Alex is still an active executive director at United akin to fellow club legend Sir Bobby Charlton. and both offer advice, input, and counsel on various matters. Sir Alex has been said to visit the training groundand give team-talks to the players on occasion. And given his success and status at the club, it's perhaps naive to assume he's had zero input.

All the same, this defeat means a stronger focus on the top four and the Champions League. United are underdogs against Barca, and with Messi and Suarez et al, the Catalan club is always a threat. But anything is possible, and who knows, Ole may win the Champions League as a manager as his friend/mentor Sir Alex did. It may be a long shot, but even Ole's winner in the 1999 Champions League final was as improbable as it was memorable.