Wolves 1 Manchester United 2 - Report

The final day of the 2020/21 Premier League season was also the Portuguese’s last as boss after the club announced on Friday he would depart after four seasons in charge.

The eventful and emotion-filled day also saw 4,500 supporters return to Molineux for the first time in more than a year as they showed their appreciation for the fan-favourite manager.

On the field, 19-year-old Anthony Elanga handed United an early lead as Wolves struggled to get going in the first half.

Nelson Semedo’s first goal in Wolves colours dragged his side level before a Juan Mata penalty - given after a VAR check - put United ahead on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser in the second half but, despite a handful of opportunities, could not find a way through as Nuno’s era - and the club’s 2020/21 campaign - ended with defeat.

Nuno made three changes to his side, sticking with the 5-3-2 formation.

Rui Patricio returned between the sticks, while Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker also came into the team. John Ruddy, Max Kilman and Morgan Gibbs-White dropped to the bench.

Only eight substitutes were named, including two goalkeepers as Andreas Sondergaard was involved again.

With a Europa League final to come on Wednesday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to his side, starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Only Axel Tuanzebe survived from the starting XI that played in the 1-1 draw with Fulham on Tuesday.

Young striker Elanga started only his second game for United and led the line.

Several youngsters were also named on the bench as many of the team’s biggest stars - including Edison Cavani, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba - did not make the squad.

The Wolves coaches arrived at Molineux with a sea of old gold and black to greet them.

Supporters made themselves heard as Nuno and his side made their way into the ground, with many fans expressing their backing for the manager with chants of ‘Nuno we want you to stay’. Some even shed tears as the team wade their way inside - while many old gold flares were let off.

Inside the stadium the 4,500 home supporters slowly filtered through the gates as they returned to watch their team for the first time in 442 days. They chanted and cheered the team throughout their warm-up and waited eagerly for Nuno to emerge.

Eventually he did appear through the Molineux tunnel, to a chorus of adoring fans who showed their support for the man who led them to the Championship title, back-to-back seventh placed finishes in the Premier League, an FA Cup semi-final and an enjoyable journey to the quarter finals of the Europa League.

Star striker Raul Jimenez was also shown love by the Wolves faithful, as his ‘Si Senor’ chant was ringing through the concourses. Although the forward could not play, as he continues to recover from a fractured skull, he was warming up with the team ahead of kick-off.

As the players came out for kick-off, Molineux erupted for the return of fan favourite chant ‘hi-ho Wolverhampton’ as an electric atmosphere ramped up even more.

The game got underway with Wolves, after losing the coin toss, kicking towards a South Bank in full voice in support of Nuno.

Adama Traore had those fans off their seats early on, too, when he burst into the box on the right side. Despite the tight angle he aimed towards goal but dragged his effort wide.

Next it was United’s turn to pose a threat as one long ball from Alex Telles cut open the Wolves defence. Elanga was seemingly in on goal but his first touch let him down as the chances fizzled away. Moments later the young striker then found space in the box but from 12 yards blazed his effort over the bar when he should have hit the target.

Then, after just 14 minutes, Elanga got his goal. Dan James was played in down the left and crossed for the striker who got in front of Rayan Ait-Nouri at the back post to head home. It was the striker’s first goal for the United first team.

Although the goal had subdued the electric atmosphere somewhat, some bursts again from Traore had the crowd on the edge of their seat. The winger was appealing for a penalty when he got beyond Tuanzebe and felt a hand in the back, but referee Mike Dean was unmoved.

As a result of the incident, however, Traore injured himself and was forced to come off after only 27 minutes. Willian Jose replaced him and partnered Fabio Silva up front.

Fans became quickly frustrated with Jose, however, after failing to anticipate a low Ruben Neves cross that would have fallen kindly to him at the back post had he gambled and made the run.

The half looked like it was fizzling out for Wolves before Semedo popped up with his first goal for the club. Dendoncker charged forward through midfield and fed Silva who had run into the channel. The young striker cut the ball back for Semedo who slid in and found the bottom corner.

The home fans erupted as the ball found the back of the net, while Nuno and his backroom team embraced on the touchline.

United almost had the final say in the half when Brandon Williams found space in the box but Patricio pulled off a big save to deny him.

As the game entered two minutes of added time at the end of the half, United did find a way through. Donny van de Beek was making room for a shot in the box as Saiss clipped his achilles. Referee Dean did not give the penalty at first but a VAR check, and subsequent monitor check by Dean, saw the official award the penalty.

Mata stepped up to tuck it home for the final action of the half, as United led 2-1. For Wolves, it was a fairly lacklustre display until they found their goal and the penalty was a hammer blow with half-time so close.

As the second half got underway the supporters were again in full voice in an effort to roar their team to an equalise. It could have come when Semedo’s cross found Jose but the striker’s header was straight at Dean Henderson.

Although Wolves started the half well, buoyed by the loud home support, by the 58th minute United should have found another goal. Amad played a delightful ball through to James who was one-on-one with Patricio. He attempted to dink the goalkeeper but got his effort completely wrong and watched it trickle wide.

By the 75th minute the game had a similar feeling to late in the first half, with Wolves struggling to break United down. They enjoyed a long spell of possession but could not find that killer pass. Silva was then unfortunate when the ball got tied up in his feet as he raced towards goal.

The intensity from the home side began to increase with 10 minutes remaining and a sublime ball from Neves found Semedo, who cut back to Silva. The striker had two bites at it but saw both efforts blocked inside the box.

In the closing stages of the game, although Wolves were heading for defeat, the home fans continued to sing for Nuno and show their appreciation for his hugely successful tenure.

Gibbs-White almost pulled his side level when his fierce effort from the edge of the box flashed just wide of the post.

In the end Wolves finished their campaign with a 2-1 defeat.

At full time the 4,500-strong crowd continued to roar in affection for Nuno. The manager and his squad did a lap of honour around the Molineux turf and soaked in the adulation as Nuno’s era as boss came to an end. He bowed in front of the South Bank as he made an emotional exit from Molineux.

Teams

Wolves: Patricio, Semedo, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Ait-Nouri (Marcal, 82), Neves, Dendoncker (Gibbs-White, 60), Moutinho, Traore (Jose, 27), Silva.

Subs not used: Ruddy, Sondergaard, Hoever, Kilman, Vitinha.

Manchester United: Henderson, Williams, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Telles, van de Beek, Matic, Mata (Mejbri, 82), Amad (Shoretire, 82), James (Fish, 94), Elanga.

Subs not used: Grant, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Greenwood, Rashford.