Wolves 0-1 Man Utd: Marcus Rashford gives Red Devils win from the bench after ‘disciplinary’ issue

It was a big surprise to not see Rashford on the starting line-up with Erik ten Hag revealing the England international was left out for an “internal disciplinary” issue.

Ten Hag saw his side’s front three fail to click in the opening 45 minutes in the absence of the in-form striker.

Their best chances fell to Alejandro Garnacho whose shot was well saved by Jose Sa and the keeper also kept out Antony’s close-range header on the stroke of half time.

Julien Lopetegui’s side defended well and had their moments with Daniel Podence and Diego Costa both spurning opportunities.

Ten Hag brought on Rashford at the break, with Antony Martial and Antony lucky not to be replaced, while the home side brought on Adama Traore and both made an impact.

Ruben Neves went close with a trademark curling freekick which David De Gea saved.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Rashford punished some slack defending from Nathan Collins and Jonny to bulldoze his way into the box and score in the 76th minute.

Rashford thought he netted his second in the closing stages but it was disallowed by VAR for a handball in the buildup.

Wolves came close in injury time through Raul Jimenez, but couldn’t find an equaliser, which leaves them in 18th place while United move into the top four for the first time this season.

TALKING POINT: Ten Hag’s decision to bench Rashford pays off

The United boss could have dropped the striker from the squad entirely having admitted pre-game he was not playing due to a disciplinary issue.

But he named him on the bench and Rashford repaid his manager in the best possible way by scoring the winner and sparking their attack into life with several players below-par.

Ten Hag has showed he is not reluctant to make big decisions by dropping Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo and he seemed to have got it right again today.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Jose Sa (Wolves): The keeper made brilliant saves to deny Garnacho and Antony on two occasions. He was unfortunate to be on the losing side.

PLAYER RATINGS

Wolves: Sa 9, Semedo 6, Collins 8, Kilman 7, Bueno 7, Neves 7, Moutinho 6, Hwang 6, Costa 5, Podence 5. Subs: Jonny 5, Traore 6, Toti 5, Aït-Nouri 6, Jimenez n/a.

Man Utd: De Gea 7, Wan-Bissaka 7, Varane 8, Shaw 7, Malacia 6, Casemiro 7, Eriksen 5, Antony 4, Fernandes 5, Garnacho 5, Martial 4. Subs: Rashford 8, fred 6, Van De Beek n/a, Maguire n/a, Elanga n/a.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

16′ – BIG CHANCE! Semedo with a terrible backpass, Garnacho is in and Sa blocks his shot. The keeper then gets ahead of Antony who didnt seem keen to challenge for the ball.

45’+1 – CLOSE! From Garnacho’s cross, Antony’s header is clawed away by Sa and the post.

59′- GOOD SAVE: Casemiro is booked for lunging in on Podence. Neves’ freekick is well saved by De Gea.

90’+4 – GOOD SAVE! Et-Nouri’s shot is blocked by Wan-Bissaka, its a corner. The delivery finds Jimenez and his shot is parried by De Gea and Maguire puts it behind.

KEY STAT

Rashford has scored 11 goals this season. Last season he netted just five.