Varane helps Manchester United to first win of the season

Manchester United started their 2023/2024 Premier League campaign with a win over Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night. The Red Devils did summer transfers bringing in Mason Mount from Chelsea and Andre Onana from Inter Milan majorly, and both players started the game.

Manager Erik Ten Hag lined up Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and Wan Bissaka in defense just behind Casemiro and Mata while Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and Alejandro Garnacho were up front with Marcus Rashford in the striking role.

However, it was Gary O’Neil’s side who started the game strongly, dominating the first half, but neither side opened the scoring in the first 45 minutes. It was in the 76th minute that Raphael Varane headed home from Aaron Wan Bissaka’s cross.

There was a late drama as Andre Onana brought down a Wolves forward while trying to claim a cross; although there was a VAR check, Simon Hooper decided against awarding the penalty in a controversial manner.

In the end, Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes emphasized the need to start the season with a win.

“It was important to start with a win and three points. We had a great fighting spirit, not the best performance, but we had to find a way to win the game. We scored the only goal in the game, and that was the most important thing. Wolves have quality, a good team. With their new manager, they played differently, more like Bournemouth did last season. On the way to press, we did well to recover some balls but could have done better. Again, it was really important to start with a win; it gives you confidence for the next one. Now it is about getting rest and training well for the next one.” Bruno Fernandes said.

Manchester United travel to North London to face Tottenham, while Wolves will be home to Brighton.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu