Lindelof and Traore crash into each other as the pair chase a long ball down the Wolves right. Traore wants a free kick in a dangerous position, but it’s deemed a 52 – (shoulder challenge and we play on.)
4.******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PMEST************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
min:That was Neto’s last contribution. He’s replaced by the promising Morgan Gibbs-White, sent on by Nuno to make his name in the cup.
min: Wolves try to hit back immediately, Neto jigging his way down the right and drawing a couple of players. He should slip Traore free down the middle, but overhits his diagonal dink and it’s a goal kick.
4.**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PM) ********* (EST)************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
min:There’s a ludicrous wait as VAR sticks its unwanted neb in. A check for offside. But Mata was clearly on. In the dugout, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wears the wide grin of a cream-enhanced cat.
Doherty strips Pereira with ease and powers down the right. He enters the box, dances along the touchline, but is robbed by Maguire. United counter. Martial drifts in from the left and dinks a ball down the middle, with Wolves light at the back. Mata draws Ruddy, and chips the keeper elegantly to break the deadlock!
**************************************************************************** (**************************************
(************************************** (****************************************************** (****************************************************** (**************************************Mata scores the opener fro Manchester United. Photograph: Phil Oldham / BPI / Shutterstock (**********************************************
Updated (at 4.) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** pm EST
(**************************************************************** (4.) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PM) ********* EST:
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ min: United push Wolves back, though they’re not sure how to open them up in the final third. Eventually Wan-Bissaka bursts down the right, and hooks a cross into the mixer. Unfortunately for United, nobody in red has taken a chance and there’s nobody in the middle. All a bit static up front for the hosts.
(4) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PMEST)**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ min: Greenwood and James are replaced by Pereira and Rashford. United take a short free kick and tippy-tap it about in the midfield.
(********************************************************************** (4.) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ESTEST**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (min:Moutinho skittles Fred, yards out. But before the free kick can be taken, United prepare a double change …
(************************************************************************* (4.) ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PM) ********* (EST) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: Neto nearly bursts clear down the right. He enters the box, but can’t shake off his nemesis Williams, the young defender staying strong and earning a huge cheer from the home faithful as he eventually wins possession and clears the danger. He’s a real prospect, this lad.
(**************************************************************************** (4.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (pm) EST************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: 03
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: Neto is booked for a late slide on Williams . He can have no complaints, but makes one anyway, in the theatrical manner.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: Traore turns on the jets and speeds past Wan-Bissaka down the left. He nearly gets past Maguire, too, but the defender toe-pokes the ball out of his road. Just in time, because Traore would have been in on goal.
(********************************************************************************** 3. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** PMEST********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Fred clips Traore’s heel as the Wolves winger whips through the center circle. Just a free kick, but the United midfielder, already in the book, wants to watch himself here. Another one of those could test the ref’s patience.
(************************************************************************************** (3). ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (pm) EST********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Neto sails past a static Maguire, down the right. He stands one up for Jimenez in the middle. Lindelof does well to read the danger and head clear. United continue to give up chances.
(************************************************************************************** (3.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (pm) ********* (EST) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ min:Neves launches a shot. towards the train tracks. Miles over the bar.
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Much better from United! Martial works down the left and checks back. He rolls back up the wing for Williams, who plays a cute reverse pass down the channel to release James into the area. James sends a low fizzer across Ruddy and inches wide of the right-hand post. A lovely move.
(****************************************************************************************
****************************** (**************************************James has a shot. Photograph: Martin Rickett / PA (**********************************************
Updated
at 4. 08 PM EST
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Traore makes good down the left. His cross is no good. United play out from the back. Fred plays yet another poor pass, a short backwards fluff that nearly lets Traore in down the left. Lindelof steps in and mops up.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: Wolves are sitting deep, and United don’t seem too sure what to do. Martial, Greenwood and James aren’t moving, the midfield have a few options. Eventually Mata has a rasp from 27 yards, hoping to find the top right. Easy for Ruddy. A few grumbles from the home support as United toil.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Ruddy launches long. Jimenez nearly gets in down the right, but Romero comes out of his box to deal with the danger. Not for the first time either.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:
A quiet start to the second half as United stroke the ball around the back, and an atmosphere at an under-capacity Old Trafford to match.
(**************************************************************************************************************** (3.) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PMEST) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
United get the second half underway.They’re now kicking towards the Stretford End. No changes.
(********************************************************************************************************************
(******************************************************************************************************************** (3) pmEST:HALF TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Three halves of football, and still no goals between these two. Neto, who had one disallowed, theatrically cocks his head back and wails at the stars for the benefit of the half-time cameras. Still no real idea which way this tie will turn. We’ll find out soon enough, even if we need extra time and penalties. No flipping!
17:
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Fred dinks a cute pass down the inside right for Mata, who would have been one on one but for Dendoncker’s extended leg, hooking into the air. Greenwood can’t bring the ball down in the Wolves area, and the flag goes up for offside anyway.
(**************************************************************************************************************************** (3) pmEST17:
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (min:Back up the other end, Williams winning a corner off Doherty on the left. Mata takes, but doesn’t beat the first man. Wolves clear. Jonny and Williams collide on the halfway line, and grab a chunk of each other’s shirt. For a second it looks like properly kicking off, but the ref’s in quickly to defuse the situation and the pair clasp hands amiably enough. There’s nice.
(******************************************************************************************************************************** (3) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (pm) ********* EST(********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: ()
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (min:James breaks down the inside-left channel, racing after Greenwood’s pass from deep, and warms Ruddy’s hands with a powerful shot. Wolves break up the other end, Jonny reaching a deep position on the left, but failing to find a man in the middle. Moutinho tries again, but crosses too deep in looking for Doherty at the far post. Goal kick.
(**********************************************************************************************************************************(************************************** (**************************************(**************************************************** (******************************************************(**************************************** (********************************************************************************************
Updated (at 3.) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (EST EST) ************
(************************************************************************************************************************************** (3). PMEST
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: 28
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (min:This is better, though, Fred dribbling with purpose down the right and winning a corner off Saiss. Mata plays it short. A couple of slow passes by Fred and Williams, then James wins United a second go. This one is hung up for Ruddy to claim easily. A (little) better.
(3.) ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* (PMEST) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (min:Not much of a cup atmosphere right now. The traveling Wolves fans making the most noise at the minute. United haven’t done too much to get the home faithful going.
(******************************************************************************************************************************************** (3.) ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PM) ********* (EST) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (min:) Mata has finished reading Ole’s note. He furrows his brow, looking a bit confused / concerned. Another lesson at half-time might be required. In other admin news, Fred is booked for repeated fouling.(******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* (**************************************
Updated
at 3. (pm EST)
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:While Mata does the homework he’s been set, Neves goes about playmaking for Wolves, scooping a fine pass down the right. Doherty is onside and in acres, but once again Romero reads the play well, sensing the danger, racing out of his area to high-kick clear.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min :Both managers are prowling on the touchline. Nuno applauds his team; Ole, less content, passes a note to Mata.
min:
Matic gives up possession cheaply to Doherty, who feeds Jonny and bursts down the right. Jonny runs into trouble, and suddenly Doherty is miles out of position. Martial takes advantage, zipping down the United left and sailing inside. A fine run, but the shot at the end of it flies straight at Ruddy.
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** () ****************************** ****************************** (**************************************
Updated (at 3.) pm EST
(********************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (3) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PMEST(********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Traore glides down the left and crosses for Jimenez, who loops a weak header into the arms of Romero. United are making problems for themselves; that all began when Lindelof played a lazy ball out of defense that was easily intercepted.
(3) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PMEST**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
min:Wolves hit the post! Matic is robbed by Traore on the halfway line. Jimenez is sent scampering down the left, and wins a corner. The set piece is worked short again. Neves chips in from the left. Doherty, coming in from from the right, heads across the rooted Romero and onto the base of the left-hand post. Jimenez can’t knock the rebound in, but the flag goes up for offside anyway. It’s not clear whether Doherty had strayed off; Jimenez almost certainly was for the rebound. Either way, United survive again.
Updated (at 3.) ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** PM EST
3 ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PMEST) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
min:A long ball down the Wolves right. Williams dawdles, nearly letting Neto in. Romero comes off his line to claim well. United go straight up the other end, Mata slapping a low shot straight at Ruddy, who parries well.
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (3) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (pm) ********* (EST) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
min: Wan-Bissaka launches himself down the right, and nearly breaks into the box, before running the ball out of play . Wolves go up the other end, Traore ripping the ball away from a dithering Matic and nearly releasing Neto down the right. Williams, tracking back eagerly, reads the play brilliantly to intercept and stub out the danger.
min:The second corner comes to nothing. United have enjoyed two-thirds of the possession so far, but Wolves are looking dangerous nonetheless.
(****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (3.) **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** pmEST(*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: ()
min:Jonny nearly makes it past Wan-Bissaka down the left and into the area, but the United full back loves a tackle, and he slides in to concede a corner. Wolves play it short. Moutinho crosses. Lindelof nearly eyebrows the ball into the top-right corner of his own net, but Matic is again on hand to rescue United. He flicks a header off the line and out for another corner.
16:
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ min:Fred drops a shoulder to make space for himself, just to the left of the Wolves D . His shot isn’t particularly good, but pings off Dendoncker’s back. A corner, which allows Fred another go from distance. He hooks this one harmlessly over the bar from yards. A flashy attempt at chipping the keeper from the edge of the box. Ambitious, to say the least. He’d have been better putting his laces through that one.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ****************************** (**************************************(************************************** (****************************************************** (******************************************************
Updated at 3. 014 pm EST
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: A pause as Jimenez gets treatment after being (legally) clattered by Lindelof. The Wolves striker is up and about again soon enough.
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: United ping it around the middle of the park awhile. They go nowhere. Suddenly James bursts down the left but he can’t get past Dendoncker. Patient play by the hosts.
Updated (at 3.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ pm EST
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min: Another loose pass by United, Williams and Fred confusing each other in the middle of the park. Jimenez races off with it and flicks a pass down the right for Neto. Fortunately for United, Matic is on point to get back and usher the Wolves player out for a goal kick. That’s excellent defending.
(******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (3.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (PM) ********* (EST) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Greenwood hoicks long. James brings the pass down and tees up Martial, who pulls a lame shot well wide right from distance. Plenty of chances being made at both ends.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************EST
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ min:that’s extremely unfortunate for Wolves, who have been undone by VAR. But the officials had no choice, given the laws of the game at the moment. Maguire and Fred can breathe again.
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (2) PMEST********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** min:Wolves score .. . or do they? A poor Fred backpass down the Wolves left, and Jimenez latches onto the ball. Maguire challenges weakly, and the ball breaks to Neto, who takes a touch before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right. Awful defending by United, but they get away with it, because Maguire had deflected the ball up onto Jimenez’s hand – accidentally, no intent – and rules are rules.
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** ()
Updated (at 3.) pm EST
(2) ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (PM) ********* (EST) ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
9 min:Matic is extremely lucky to escape censure for a cynical tug on Traore. A bit later in the match, and that was surely a yellow.
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (2) ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (pm) EST**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************: **********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
8 min:Wolves should be ahead. Traore turns on the jets and burns towards the byline on the left. He whips a low cross in for Jimenez, who takes a touch and shifts the ball between his feet on the penalty spot, sending Maguire and Williams the wrong way. He’s free, but having done the hard work, sends a pea-roller into the arms of Romero.
7 min:
Quite a few empty seats at Old Trafford this evening. It’s far from a sell-out.
(******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (2.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** pmEST: 52
5 min:This is absurdly open in the early stages. First up, Wan-Bissaka drops a shoulder to make good down the right, but overruns the ball as he enters the box. The chance to shoot is gone as Ruddy smothers. Then down the other end, Neto has a lash from the right-hand corner of the United box. The ball flies inches past the left-hand post. Romero, who had let the effort sail by in the passive style, wears the look of a man who knew the shot was always going wide, but he’s surely kidding. That was too close for comfort.
15:
3 min:Mata, quarterbacking from deep, lifts a clever ball over the top down the inside-right channel. James springs a high offside trap, and tries to round Ruddy. Had he managed to do so, he’d have been rolling the ball into an empty net. But Ruddy refuses to be beaten, and sticks out a strong arm to deny him. The resulting corner comes to nothing.
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ ****************************** (**************************************(************************************** (****************************************************** (******************************************************Ruddy clears the threat from James. Photograph: Andrew Yates / Reuters (**********************************************
Updated at 2. 57 pm EST
1 min:Wolves make an early statement of intent, Traore skedaddling down the inside-left channel and forcing United on the back foot immediately. He’s forced to check back. He tries again. Fred takes him down. The resulting free kick is quickly taken, but doesn’t catch United sleeping, and Jonny runs the ball out of play for a goal kick.
And we’re off!Wolves get this. third-round replay underway. They’ll be kicking towards the Stretford End in this first half. Before the action hots up, here’s Paul from Spain, reminiscing about the aforementioned Richards-McIlroy match. “I remember being at that Wolves game, walking to Molineux singing’ we’ll be top by five o’clock ’. But we lost and we weren’t. ”
The teams are out!A fine cup-tie atmosphere at Old Trafford. This is the one. We’ll be off in a minute. But in the meantime, oh dear, what can we do, Wolves are in black and John Hubbard’s feeling blue. “Leaving aside VAR, the absurd handball rule and everything else that spoils modern football, the one big change that I’m sure fans want to see is a rule that says away strips must not be worn unless in the referee’s view there is an * actual * color clash. Wolves ’old gold should be worn tonight instead of dull black.” Preach on, brother.
Updated (at 2.) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (PM EST
)then a word with Nuno Espirito Santo.We take all the games seriously, our approach is always the same. The entire squad is ready. We played good at Molineux, though I recall in the first half we struggled. We are going to face a very tough opponent, a fantastic team, a very good stadium in Old Trafford. So this is a good time to challenge ourselves and make a good performance. ”
(************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (2) ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ (pm) EST****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************:
Both managers look relaxed yet determined as they talk to BT Sport. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is first up:
“We have scored quite a few goals in the last few games at Old Trafford, so hopefully we can find some of that here . We want to go through. Sergio is in for David and Dan is in for Marcus, who has had loads of football. If it was a cup final he would probably play tonight but we have Sunday [against Liverpool] in mind. And Andreas is out and Mason is in for him. So we go here to create chances and try to win the game. All the games we have had against Wolverhampton were tight affairs. We have had the majority of the possession but they are always dangerous on counter attacks and set plays so we know it’s going to be a hard game. ”
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Manchester United will of course be sporting devilish red tonight. Wolves could wear their famous old gold if they so desired, but instead will be trotting out in second-choice black with gold trim. Look!
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In lieu of old gold, here’s John Richards wearing some in late (*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************. Has there ever been a better Wolves shirt? The United top Sammy McIlroy has on isn’t half bad either. The Wembley cup logo suggests it’s the same one he wore while netting an ultimately futile equaliser in the final a few months previously. Full-time result: a high-scoring draw between Umbro and Admiral.
United were a bit below par at Molineux days ago, too.Wolves weren’t much better. Both sides will need to up their game if they’re to win this. Wolves, already 040 matches into a Homeric season, are on a run of four without a win; United, by contrast, are coming off the back of an impressive rhythm-relocating four-goal thumping of Norwich City. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young team are therefore favorite to advance to a fourth-round tie at Tranmere Rovers or Watford, team selection permitting. But Nuno Espirito Santo’s fine side will find their form again at some point, and why not tonight? So it promises to be an entertaining evening, not least because it surely can’t be worse than the first one. It’s on!
Kick-off:7. 45 pm GMT.
Updated
at 1. EST EST (************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Read More****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
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