Premier League 2018-19: 3 Reasons why Manchester United lost to Wolves

#3. Missing Victor Lindelof in the central defence:

United missed Victor Lindelof, their most consistent defender this season, with the Sweden international not playing last night. Smalling is on the wrong side of 30 and is usually not at his best in penalty box melees. His scrambled and clumsy clearing led to the winning goal for Wolves as the other United defenders looked on helplessly.

Phil Jones put up a spirited display last night, but could not prevent the shocking defeat. Moreover, United's defence was at fault for Wolves’ opening goal too as Diogo ran in through the gap between two defenders before finding the back of the net.

The Red Devils had conceded a goal against Watford in a similar fashion last weekend. The United defenders hesitated in attacking the ball and preferred to stay in their own positions as Diogo found his was into their penalty box. Solskjaer would have to work on those defensive aspects and encourage his defenders to go for the ball quickly inside the defensive third.

United’s cause was not helped by Young’s omission in the 57th minute either. The 33-year-old Young was sent off for a clumsy challenge, and Wolves exploited their man-advantage to great effect. Moreover, United would be deprived of Young's services in the next match too.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar