Manchester United’s Freefall Continues as Wolves Deliver Another Crushing Blow at Old Trafford

Another game, another disappointment. Old Trafford, once a fortress where opponents trembled, has now become a place where even mid-table teams like Wolverhampton Wanderers stroll in and leave with all three points. Manchester United’s dismal season hit a new low on Sunday as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against a Wolves side that outplayed, outthought, and outright embarrassed them in their own backyard.

Pablo Sarabia, a second-half substitute, delivered the dagger—a picture-perfect free-kick that curled beyond Andre Onana’s outstretched arms, sealing Wolves’ fifth consecutive Premier League win and officially securing their top-flight status for another season. Meanwhile, United’s season continues to unravel, with Ruben Amorim’s men now languishing in 14th place, level on points with Wolves but looking nothing like a team that belongs in the upper half of the table.

A Performance That Summed Up United’s Season

If you wanted a snapshot of Manchester United’s 2024/25 campaign, this match was it. Sluggish, uninspired, and lacking any real attacking threat, the Red Devils barely mustered a fight. Amorim, perhaps with one eye on their upcoming Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club, rotated his squad heavily. But even with changes, the lack of depth and quality in this United side was glaring.

Bruno Fernandes, the heartbeat of this team, started on the bench after his heroic midweek efforts against Lyon. Without him, United looked lost—no creativity, no urgency, just sideways passes and hopeful long balls. When he did enter the fray in the 58th minute, the difference was immediate. He fired off four shots, played eight passes into the final third, and at least tried to make something happen. But by then, it was too late.

Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Alejandro Garnacho all had moments, but none could find the finishing touch. Wolves’ stand-in goalkeeper, Dan Bentley—thrust into action after Jose Sa’s warm-up injury—was barely tested. United managed just two shots on target all game. Two. At home. Against a team that was fighting relegation just a few months ago.

Wolves’ Remarkable Revival Under Vitor Pereira

While United’s struggles dominate headlines, credit must go to Wolves and their manager, Vitor Pereira. When he took over in December, they were 19th, five points adrift of safety. Fast forward four months, and they’re now mathematically safe with five straight wins. That’s a remarkable turnaround.

Pereira has done what Amorim has failed to do at United—get the most out of limited resources. Wolves don’t have a superstar squad, but they’re organized, disciplined, and lethal on the counter. Sarabia’s free-kick was a moment of pure class, but the win was built on a solid defensive foundation and smart tactical adjustments.

What Now for Manchester United?

The Europa League is now their only hope of salvaging something from this disastrous season. But if this performance is anything to go by, Athletic Club will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing this disjointed United side.

The bigger question is: where do they go from here? The Glazers’ ownership, managerial instability, and a squad filled with players who either aren’t good enough or don’t seem to care have left the club in a mess. Amorim was supposed to be the man to turn things around, but so far, he’s been unable to stop the rot.

Fans are fed up. Old Trafford was half-empty by the final whistle, and those who stayed made their frustrations heard. This is not the Manchester United they grew up supporting. This is a shadow of a once-great club.

Final Thoughts: A Club in Crisis

Wolves’ victory was more than just three points—it was a statement. It showed that even teams with far less resources can outwork, outthink, and outplay Manchester United. And that’s the most damning indictment of all.

For United, the season can’t end soon enough. But unless serious changes are made—both on and off the pitch—this downward spiral shows no signs of stopping.

The Theatre of Dreams? Right now, it’s more like the Theatre of Nightmares.

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