Boxing Day turned out to be another disappointing chapter in Manchester United’s tumultuous season, as they faced a 2-0 defeat against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The match was marred by the early dismissal of captain Bruno Fernandes, who received his third red card of the season shortly after the break for a second bookable offence.
The defeat highlights the ongoing challenges facing United, as they continue to grapple with inconsistencies on the pitch.
With Fernandes’ dismissal, the team not only lost a key player but also faced an uphill battle against a Wolves side eager to capitalize on their home advantage.
Wolves took full advantage to make it two wins in two games under new boss Vitor Pereira.
Matheus Cunha’s goal direct from a corner opened the scoring before he teed up Hwang Hee-chan with virtually the last kick of the game.
United, who slipped to 14th, have won just twice in seven Premier League games since Ruben Amorim took charge last month and were insipid in attack even before Fernandes’ dismissal.
Victory was enough to lift Wolves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Leicester, who visit leaders Liverpool later.
The optimism that greeted Amorim’s early days in charge already seem a distant memory as the Portuguese has been left in no doubt over the scale of the task he faces to turn around a fallen giant.
Amorim reacted to a 3-0 humbling at home to Bournemouth on Sunday by making just two changes.
Leny Yoro came into the defence, while Rasmus Hojlund replaced Joshua Zirkzee up front.
The Dane, though, struggled to make any impact as Cunha showed the value of a forward in form.
Wolves look set to lose their top scorer to suspension over a FA charge for misconduct for a clash with an Ipswich member of staff after a 2-1 defeat earlier this month that cost Gary O’Neil his job.
Only Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than the Brazilian international.
United, by contrast, were let down by their talisman.
Fernandes was walking a tightrope from a first-half booking when he recklessly dived in on his Portuguese international team-mate Nelson Semedo two minutes into the second period.
Even the normally argumentative Fernandes had few complaints when referee Tony Harrington brandished a second yellow and a red.
The 30-year-old’s first red card of the campaign against Tottenham was overturned on appeal before he was also dismissed in a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League.
