Wolves 3-4 Man Utd: Player ratings as Mainoo stunner settles seven-goal blockbuster

Manchester United needed a 97th-minute winner from 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo to secure a sensational 4-3 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the game of the Premier League season on Thursday night.

Erik ten Hag's side flew into an impressive lead at Molineux as goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund put a disjointed Wolves to the sword in the first half.

However, the Old Gold stormed back into the match in the second half thanks to strikes from Pablo Sarabia, Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, with Scott McTominay also heading home in between.

But there was one more twist at Molineux in a truly chaotic clash, Mainoo popping up late on with a wonderful strike to give Man Utd a vital three points.

How the game unfolded

After a nervy but ultimately successful FA Cup fourth round clash with League Two Newport County last time out, Man Utd turned their attention back to Premier League matters with a trip to Molineux. The Red Devils had won their last three against Wolves without conceding, but the Old Gold came into the match unbeaten at home in their last nine matches.

However, Gary O'Neil's side fell behind early on to endanger their impressive streak without a Molineux defeat, and it was naturally Rashford who put the visitors in front. After the recent controversy surrounding the attacker, he fired Man Utd ahead with five minutes played on his return to the team, beautifully caressing Hojlund's lay-off into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Just as Wolves were starting to find their feet, Man Utd delivered a sucker punch at the other end to double their lead. Rashford found Luke Shaw on the overlap, with the left-back rattling a cross to the near post and the ball fortuitously ricocheting off Hojlund on its way past Jose Sa.

Casemiro missed a golden opportunity just moments later as he headed wide from a clever free kick with the goal gaping, while Matt Doherty's short back pass was charged down by goalscorer Hojlund, with Sa's clearance striking the Dane and flashing just wide.

Man Utd continued to pepper the Wolves goal before the break, Raphael Varane hammering a volley over the crossbar as the hosts were repeatedly cut open. Both Hojlund and Casemiro found the back of the net heading into half-time, but their efforts were rightly ruled out for offside.

The action didn't let up after the restart, Bruno Fernandes failing to convert inside the box at one end and Lisandro Martinez clearing off the line at the other after some iffy Andre Onana goalkeeping from a free-kick.

Hojlund should have grabbed his second of the game ten minutes after the break but Sa produced a wonderful stop with his feet to deny the striker. Onana then kept out Craig Dawson, the Wolves man seeing his scuffed shot from close range deflect off the goalkeeper's head.

Wolves were offered a fortunate route back into the match, Casemiro penalised for the slightest of touches on Pedro Neto's ankle in the box. Substitute Sarabia stepped up and cut United's lead with a calm spot kick.

However, McTominay swiftly restored Man Utd's advantage, heading home from a corner with his first touch of the game from the bench. Max Kilman bundled home from close range to get the hosts back into proceedings and Neto thought he had earned Wolves a point with a fantastic late strike in stoppage-time.

But Man Utd weren't going to give up without a fight and it was Mainoo who proved their saviour. The teenager danced into the penalty area before unleashing a beautiful curling strike to win it at the death for the Red Devils.

Wolves player ratings (5-2-3)

GK: Jose Sa - 6/10 - Given no help by the defenders in front of him as he faced a barrage of shots in the first half. Similarly helpless after the break but did his best to keep Wolves in the match.

RWB: Nelson Semedo - 5/10 - Simply couldn't handle Shaw and Rashford's combinations and was continually exposed. His best moments came in Man Utd's half.

CB: Max Kilman - 6/10 - Not his best performance at the back but did find the back of the net late in the match. Like his teammates, he gave Man Utd's attackers far too much time and space.

CB: Craig Dawson - 5/10 - The veteran's alarming lack of pace was on full display at Molineux, with Man Utd's speedy front line leaving him chasing shadows. Produced one decisive block to deny Bruno Fernandes and did prove a handful in the United box.

CB: Toti Gomes - 5/10 - Sloppy in possession and bypassed far too easily by United's forwards.

LWB: Matt Doherty - 4/10 - A short pass back to his goalkeeper almost proved costly and he was a bystander in a shocking Wolves defence. Understandably hooked shortly after half-time.

CM: Mario Lemina - 6/10 - Showed a bit of grit in midfield and was generally tidy in possession. Helped Wolves wrestle control of the game in the second half but it wasn't enough for his side.

CM: Tommy Doyle - 6/10 - The Manchester City loanee couldn't influence proceedings, albeit he didn't do too much wrong himself.

RW: Pedro Neto - 8/10 - Wolves' brightest spark going forward as he glided across the Molineux turf and was involved in all of his side's best moments. Thought he had produced a stunning late equaliser.

ST: Matheus Cunha - 6/10 - Showed glimpses of his impressive recent form but couldn't hurt Man Utd's backline with any regularity.

LW: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde - 5/10 - Not involved too often in the final third after being pushed out to the wing.

Substitutes

SUB: Rayan Ait-Nouri (54' for Doherty) - 6/10 - Offered some energy down the left and pinned Diogo Dalot back. Some teasing deliveries into the box.

SUB: Pablo Sarabia (63' for Bellegarde) - 7/10

SUB: Joao Gomes (82' for Doyle) - 5/10

SUB: Nathan Fraser (82' for Toti Gomes) - 6/10

Subs not used: Daniel Bentley (GK), Santiago Bueno, Hugo Bueno, Joe Hodge, Tawanda Chirewa.

Manager

Gary O'Neil - 6/10 - His side were completely outclassed in the first half and met with a chorus of justifiable boos at the break. An improved display in the second half offered them a route back into the match, but their passive defending proved costly.

Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Andre Onana - 6/10 - Almost let Wolves back into the game after missing his punch from his cross into the box and still looks uncomfortable in his own penalty area.

RB: Diogo Dalot - 6/10 - Wolves' best moments came down his side but the Portuguese stood firm on the majority of occasions.

CB: Raphael Varane - 7/10 - Some important interventions from the World Cup winner, who put in an assured performance in a breathless game. Somehow conceded three times despite a strong display.

CB: Lisandro Martinez - 7/10 - Ten Hag has missed his presence at the back and the Argentine produced a fantastic goal-line clearance from Kilman's second-half header.

LB: Luke Shaw - 7/10 - Helped create consistent overloads down the wing as he and Rashford dovetailed wonderfully on the flank.

CM: Kobbie Mainoo - 9/10 - Another composed display from the 18-year-old, helping United boss the midfield battle for much of the game. Scored a wonderful solo goal to win it late on for the visitors as he continues to dazzle in the first team.

CM: Casemiro - 7/10 - Booked after just three minutes for scything down Semedo but quickly shook off any rustiness to put in a commanding display. Very unfortunate to concede a penalty in the second half.

RM: Alejandro Garnacho - 7/10 - Plenty of endeavour but not an awful lot of end product. Still a fruitful performance from the youngster.

AM: Bruno Fernandes - 7/10 - Consistently found space in behind Lemina and Doyle in midfield and orchestrated a number of United's attacks.

LM: Marcus Rashford - 8/10 - Took him just five minutes to silence his doubters, putting United ahead with a gorgeous effort. Semedo simply couldn't cope with his electric pace down the left, the Englishman playing like a man with a point to prove.

ST: Rasmus Hojlund - 8/10 - Enjoyed an enormous slice of luck to double United's advantage but he earned it with a relentless first-half display. The £72m man used his pace and athleticism to cause Wolves' defence problems.

Substitutes

SUB: Scott McTominay (73' for Casemiro) - 8/10

SUB: Antony (73' for Rashford) - 6/10

SUB: Omari Forson (87' for Hojlund) - N/A

SUB: Harry Maguire (87' for Martinez) - N/A

SUB: Jonny Evans (90' for Garnacho) - N/A

Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Willy Kambwala, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo.

Manager

Erik ten Hag - 7/10 - Man Utd were simply untouchable in the first half but offered Wolves a glimmer of hope through their wastefulness. Despite the breathless finish, it was still one of his side's best performances of the season, rather strangely.

Player of the match: Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd)

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