In a mixed conclusion to the year, Manchester United secured a 6th place finish in the Premier League table for 2025. However, the missed opportunity to claim victory over last-place Wolves, who are on track to become the worst team in Premier League history, was felt deeply—it would have propelled them to 4th place instead.
WATCH — Manchester United vs Wolves
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Bruno Fernandes’s role in masking the many issues at Manchester United (30 points) has become an accepted idea. His ability to inflate their point totals during his time at Old Trafford is well-documented. However, whenever he is sidelined due to injury, the team’s shortcomings become painfully obvious. Such was the case on Tuesday when United dominated possession but lacked direction on the field. They registered 15 shots with a meager expected goals (xG) of 0.81. Even their lone goal, scored by Joshua Zirkzee in the 27th minute, came off a deflected shot that wrong-footed goalkeeper Jose Sa.
MORE — Ruben Amorim’s reaction
Wolves themselves struggled to create chances, managing only 10 goals in 18 matches, but they capitalized on set pieces. Just before halftime, Ladislav Krejci headed in a poorly defended corner in the 45th minute, bringing Wolves to three points for the season.
What’s Next?
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Wolves vs West Ham — Saturday, 10 am ET
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Leeds vs Manchester United — Sunday, 7:30 am ET
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Manchester United vs Wolves Live Updates – by Andy Edwards
Final Score: Manchester United 1, Wolves 1
Goals: Joshua Zirkzee (27′), Ladislav Krejci (45′)
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Wolves: Krejci equalizes with a header from a corner kick (45′)
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Wolves: Zirkzee scores after a brilliant run (27′)
Manchester United Starting Lineup
Lammens – Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw – Casemiro, Ugarte, Zirkzee – Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko
Wolves Starting Lineup
Sa – Doherty, Mosquera, Krejci – Tchatchoua, Arias, Gomes, Bueno – Mane, Hwang, Arokodare
How to Watch Manchester United vs Wolves Live
Kickoff Time: 3:15 pm ET Tuesday (December 30)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Amorim’s recent formation change during their 1-0 victory against Newcastle worked wonders, as United looked more organized defensively. With the team within reach of the top four at the midpoint of the season, expectations have shifted positively, and they have a favorable schedule ahead.
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Wolves, on the other hand, remain at the bottom of the Premier League with just two points from 18 games—setting a record for the lowest points at this stage. Manager Rob Edwards has yet to achieve a win in his first seven matches, and despite a spirited effort in a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, the outlook is dim as they sit 16 points from safety.
Manchester United Team News
Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Bryan Mbeumo are representing their countries at AFCON, while Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are sidelined due to injury. Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Mason Mount are also dealing with injuries, which could lead to Joshua Zirkzee starting in their next match. The bench may be filled with younger players as Amorim opts for a back four, with Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martinez standing out in defense in their last game.
Wolves Team News
Tawanda Chirewa and Emmanuel Agbadou are away at AFCON, and injuries to Toti Gomes, Marshall Munetsi, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, and Rodrigo Gomes, as well as Andre’s suspension, leave Wolves shorthanded. Jorgen Strand Larsen was on the bench against Liverpool, and it will be interesting to see if he will make his final appearance for Wolves, as he has been linked with a move in January.
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Manchester United vs Wolves Prediction
It’s expected to be a comfortable outing for United. They successfully exploited Wolves on the counter in their previous meeting, and a similar strategy is anticipated again. Manchester United 3-0 Wolves.