Manchester United vs Wolves: Get the low-down on Jose Mourinho's men

We spoke with Ben Guest, co-owner of TheFootballFaithful, and Liam Corless, reporter at the Manchester Evening News to get a proper look at United ahead of the game.

See what they had to say here...

It's been something of a mixed start at United with Jose Mourinho under some pressure early on - what's the general mood around the club?

BG: Despite all that has been written about Mourinho in the press, the mood amongst Manchester United fans is still fairly supportive of the manager, with the general feeling that he has been let down by executive vice chairman, Ed Woodward.

While the 3-2 defeat to Brighton was a horrific performance and an all round bad day at the office, the performance against Spurs - particularly in the first half - was some one the best football we’ve seen at Old Trafford for a number of months.

They have followed that up with decent performances against Burnley, Watford and Young Boys, so generally, the mood is good.

LC: The mood at United is positive despite a couple of shaky performances in the league at the start of the season.

There was a massive overreaction to the loss to Spurs but Mourinho and his players have been professional in the three away games since.

A crisis is never too far away at a club the size of United but there is a feeling that a corner might have been turned.

How have the club got on in terms of results and performances so far? Are we still waiting to see United click?

BG: United won their Premier League opener in relatively comfortable fashion, hardly getting out of third gear against Leicester.

However, they put in a lacklustre performance against Brighton, a game in which they were deservedly punished.

They may have lost the following game against Spurs, but they did so with a vastly improved performance.

While it’s hard to know if United are ever really clicking under Mourinho, such is the defensive nature of the Portuguese, there have been signs that the team are working as such, and the line-up is becoming more settled, especially in defence and midfield.

LC: If people are waiting for United to click in the way that Liverpool and City click, they'll be waiting a while.

Mourinho will never be as expansive a manager as Klopp and Guardiola but his record speaks for itself.

United are on the up and away wins at Burnley and Watford prove that.

Mourinho was questioned a lot last season because of the style of play at United, has the Portuguese boss altered this 'defensive' style this season?

BG: Since the game against Spurs, in which they put in an impressive performance, they have seemed to press much harder than we have become used to Mourinho’s sides playing, perhaps indicating a change in his approach.

He hasn’t released the defensive shackles fully, with Marouane Fellaini being deployed in a heavily withdrawn role in midfield in recent games, almost slotting in as a third centre-back at times. However, the deeper midfielder allows the likes of Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia to attack more down the flanks.

Maybe it isn’t a less defensive approach, but just a different way of attacking, which seems to be benefitting the team so far.

LC: I think Mourinho has adapted his style slightly but, as already mentioned, he is still a pragmatic manager.

United's first-half display against Spurs was perhaps the most attacking they've been all season but they ended the game as 3-0 losers, so it's not all about how good they can be going forward.

The talent they have in attack is unquestionable, but at the back they're less impressive so it's understandable that Mourinho doesn't loosen the shackles completely.

What sort of transfer business has been done at Old Trafford this summer? It sounds like a quiet window for a club usually in the thick of deals...

BG: It all started so well with the early arrival of Fred and relatively unknown youngster Diogo Dalot who looks like a promising talent.

However, their failure to land a centre-back was nothing short of laughable, with United being linked to seemingly half of the defenders in Europe.

United also have a glaringly obvious problem at right-wing, a problem which for the second summer running, was not solved by the board, with some suggesting Mr Woodward was arguing over just £5m on a number of targets.

If it’s true, it’s nothing short of negligent in my eyes.

LC: The arrivals of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant had all been confirmed before the end of the World Cup and it was obvious that Mourinho wanted two more players after that.

A right winger and a centre-back were at the top of his wishlist but he didn't get either, much to his obvious frustration.

Toby Alderweireld was the man Mourinho really wanted but United were reluctant to pay the £75m asking price for him as Ed Woodward didn't see the Belgian as good value for money.

What have you made of United's business since the start of the season?

BG: The headline signing of the summer was Brazilian midfielder Fred, and while the £52m man has shown glimpses of his talent and dynamism, he is yet to fully settle and nail down a place in Mourinho’s side.

Diogo Dalot has only played one game having joined with an injury, but has looked decent in his two outings with the U23s, while Lee Grant is nothing but a backup to the incredible David de Gea and is yet to make an appearance.

LC: It's too early to say.

Obviously Woodward's refusal to sign Alderweireld looked like a mistake after the Tottenham game but Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have looked decent together in the last three games.

An injury to Smalling would be a disaster though - he's their best defender by a mile.

How do you expect United to line up against Wolves this weekend? Do you think Mourinho will view Wolves as an easy target given the club's promotion?

BG: Jose rarely changes his side, so I reckon after being left out of Wednesday’s Champions League game against Young Boys, Antonio Valencia will return at right-back, while Fred will come in for suspended Nemanja Matic.

Apart from that, it will be the same side that played against Watford.

LC: I think United's team against Wolves will be similar to the one that played against Watford.

Luke Shaw should come in for Ashley Young at left-back, while Fred may might start in place of the suspended Nemanja Matic.

What have you made of the rumours linking Nuno and Ruben Neves with Manchester United? Do you think this is something which could potentially happen if Wolves do well and United struggle?

BG: While I have to admit that I haven’t seen a great deal of Neves, what I have seen has been impressive.

As a United fan, you grow used to being linked with every player under the sun, only to sign one or two, so I’m not getting carried away with the talk linking Nuno with a move to Old Trafford.

He’s undoubtedly a good player, but I’d personally want to see more of him in the Premier League before United plundered £60 million on what is essentially a Championship player at the moment.

However, with Nemanja Matic not getting any younger, a new defensive minded midfielder could be on the cards in the next few years and if Jose is still in charge, it’s possible.

LC: Jose Mourinho isn't going anywhere and Nuno Espirito Santo, as well as he's done since taking over at Wolves, wouldn't be the man to replace him.

There would be plenty of people in front of him in the queue to take over.

Are there many injury worries at Old Trafford?

BG: Apart from Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo who are seemingly made of glass, Jose Mourinho has a full strength squad to choose from.

There are however the suspensions to Marcus Rashford and Nemanja Matic to contend with.

LC: Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are the only first-team players currently out injured.

Antonio Valencia missed the trip to Switzerland due to concerns about how his knee would hold up on Young Boys' plastic pitch but that won't be an issue this weekend.

What have you made of Wolves from afar? Do you think they have a team capable of cutting it in the Premier League this season?

BG: They were excellent in their promotion winning campaign last season, and look to have started to get used to the pace of the Premier League.

They have made some excellent signings and not only do I think they can ‘cut it’ in the Premier League, I actually think they will finish in the top half.

LC: I watched Wolves against City and they looked like a team well capable of competing in the Premier League.

I'm predicting a mid-table finish for them this season.

Your match prediction?

BG: I never bet against United, and it’s no different this time out.

However, with Wolves having a week to recover, and United just a few days, it won’t be a stroll in the park. But with home advantage, I’m going for United 2-1 Wolves.

LC: United are on a good run and Mourinho said after last night's game that the players now owe the fans a good home performance after three away wins in a row.

I'm expecting a tough game but fancy United to win by a couple of goals.

You can follow Ben and Liam on Twitter by searching for @BenGuest7 and @LiamCorless, you can see his work via TheFootballFaithful website.