Premier League, Manchester United 1-1 Wolves: 5 players who were poor for the Red Devils

Manchester United had started the new season on a high, after comfortably seeing off arch-rivals Chelsea in the opening weekend. The Red Devils had pumped in four goals, while also managing a clean sheet. However, the trip to the Molineux on Monday represented a different test for both Solskjaer and his wards.

The Red Devils had faced Wolves three times last season in the Premier League and had failed to secure a win. Incidentally, United had lost both games at the Molineux, while only managing a draw at Old Trafford.

For Solskjaer, Monday night was an opportunity to measure how far his team had come from last season. It was also a personal challenge for the Norwegian, who had never won at Molineux and he made just one change to the team that won against Chelsea.

David De Gea started in goal, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw continued as the back four.

The midfield consisted of Paul Pogba alongside Scott McTominay, while Jesse Lingard was stationed in the No. 10 role. The front three consisted of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James, who had his first competitive start for United.

United started the game well and looked in control in the opening stages. They took the lead in the 27th minute though Anthony Martial. However, Wolves rallied back and equalized in the 55th minute, when Ruben Neves scored an absolute beauty from outside the box.

The away side had the chance to take the lead when Paul Pogba won a penalty in the 68th minute. However, the Frenchman failed to score and the game ended 1-1.

Solskjaer will be disappointed with the performance of these five players, who were poor on the night and cost United the game.

#5 Marcus Rashford

With Anthony Martial continuing in the No. 9 role, Marcus Rashford had another run in the left forward position, a role he excelled in against Chelsea.

After scoring a brace against The Blues, the Englishman was expected to have an impact on this game as well. Sadly, Marcus Rashford had a quiet night and rarely troubled the Wolves backline.

The Englishman started the game brightly and laid down a very good through ball for Martial to score in the first half.

However, that was his only worthwhile contribution in the game, as Rashford failed to stretch the game from the left side. The Englishman was also wasteful from set-pieces and did not have a single shot on target.

#4 Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay lost the midfield battle

The Scottish midfielder continued his partnership with Paul Pogba in the middle of the park but failed to replicate his performance from the Chelsea game.

Scott McTominay moved the ball around well in the first half but showed no signs of the pressing that was desperately required in the game. As a result, the Wolves midfield gradually got back into the game.

McTominay was also unusually slow off the blocks and took too much time on the ball. He did not move the ball fast enough and often drew in pressure from the home side.

McTominay’s passing was also poor and he often opted for the safer route on the pitch. This meant that despite having the bulk of the possession, United caused Wolves very little trouble and the home side was comfortable even without the ball.

McTominay already has Nemanja Matic breathing down his shoulders, and will need to massively improve to keep the Serbian away from the first team.

#3 Daniel James

Daniel James (L) had very little impact on the game

After a brilliant debut against Chelsea, where he stretched the game after coming off the bench, Daniel James was selected for his first competitive start in United colours. Wolves were known to be resolute on the field, so Solskjaer aimed to use the Welshman’s speed to trouble the home side.

And James did have a bright start to the game, seeing plenty of the ball and causing the Wolves defense some worries in the opening stages.

However, he was indecisive with the ball at his feet and lacked maturity in the final third. James also picked up a yellow card for a blatant dive and had to tread cautiously for the rest of the game.

The Welshman tracked back well, helping out Aaron Wan-Bissaka whenever Wolves tried to break through the flanks.

He also won quite a few free kicks for his team. But James did not have the impact that Solskjaer would have wanted, neither did he contribute too much with the ball at his feet.

#2 Paul Pogba

The Frenchman looked in control in the opening stages of the game, moving the ball around nicely in the middle of the park.

However, even though United had the bulk of the possession, the away side lacked penetration in the final third.

Paul Pogba was particularly culpable for United's lack of penetration; despite being stationed in a deeper role, the Frenchman failed to stamp his authority in the game. He gave away the ball cheaply and did not contribute too much in attack as the game progressed.

After United took the lead, Solskjaer had the option of playing on the counter and catching Wolves on the break.

A lot depended on Paul Pogba, but the Frenchman continued to have an off day and was easily overpowered by the Wolves midfield. The home side eventually went on to equalize from a beautifully crafted corner.

Pogba did show signs of his qualities after United conceded the goal, displaying clever feet to win a penalty in the 68th minute. However, the Frenchman missed from the spot and United never recovered from there.

#1 Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard was one of the poorest performers on the night

Jesse Lingard was undoubtedly one of the poorest performers on the night. Starting in the No. 10 role, the Englishman had enough power and speed ahead of him to stretch the Wolves defence, but failed to cause too much trouble.

Lingard is usually known for his off the ball pressing, an attribute that has seen him selected for the No. 10 role ahead of better-suited players. However, he looked lethargic all night and failed to implement Solskjaer’s high press tactics.

The Englishman even had a glorious chance to double the lead early in the second half. But he scuffed his chance with the goal at his mercy. His movement and positioning in the final third also left a lot to be desired, while he contributed very little on the offensive.

Lingard did not manage even one through ball on the night, which meant that he was not much of a threat to the home defence.

The Englishman was also poor with his decision making and cost United the game. He was ultimately replaced by Juan Mata in the 81st minute, but by then, the damage was already done.

Edited by Alan John