Player ratings – Man Utd 0-1 Wolves: Jones shines two years after last Premier League game

Bruno Lage’s tigerish Wolves side struck late on to inflict Ralf Rangnick’s first defeat as United manager in the Reds first game of 2022.

The men from Molineux have been a thorn in our side ever since their promotion to the Premier League and proved so once again at Old Trafford – people with a love of binary will enjoy this fixture with the visitors now firmly entrenched as United’s bogey side. Another random side become prime Barcelona when they play us.

Here is how we rated each Red:

David de Gea – 6

Saved well from string puller in chief Ruben Neves and did his job well. Nothing he could do to keep out Joao Moutinho’s good hit for the winner.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5

Showed glimpses going forward in the first half and narrowly evaded CR7 with his crossing. I’d expect Diogo Dalot to get his place back

Phil Jones – 8

A shock starter as he lined up in United Red for the first time in 707 days. Grew as the game wore on, strong in the tackle and tried to play out. A bonus point for doing well despite not having played, literally, for years. Unfortunate his header dropped to Moutinho

Raphael Varane – 6

Looked much better than at Newcastle and dealt with the tricky Jimenez well. Only his second start in three months

Luke Shaw – 5

After his eye-catching revival against Burnley, Shaw struggled to supplement our impetus and unusually got done for pace by Adama Traore, a player he has done well against so often.

Scott McTominay – 4

As bad here as he was good against the Clarets. Sloppy on the ball and dominated by Neves and Moutinho. Any team with a ball playing midfielder or two will get right through us.

Nemanja Matic – 3

Little impact apart from his cross to Fernandes which hit the bar. Never going to dominate or control a game.

Mason Greenwood – 6

United’s best attacking outlet in the front four but he’s only 20 and is still learning his trade. Too much expected and harshly hooked first again

Jadon Sancho – 3

Ropey and sluggish on and off the ball. Seems to have lost his pace and doesn’t seem sure of where he should be playing. Lucky to stay on for as long as he did.

Edinson Cavani – 4

Changed the game at Newcastle and was decent in the last game but almost anonymous here. Even his customary lung busting spurts were conspicuous by absence.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 4

Had a goal disallowed but almost put Jimenez in with an errant header. Captained the side and, in his defence, got little to no service up top.

Substitutes

Bruno Fernandes – for Greenwood 60 – 6

United’s best period of the game co-incided with his introduction but he really should have buried the chance that came back off the bar

Marcus Rashford – for Sancho 75 – 4

No impact

Anthony Elanga – for Wan – Bissaka 84 – N/A

No rating

Ralf Rangnick – 5

I can see what he’s trying to do – he wants us to press and control the game but you’re never gonna do that with these players. They can’t do what he’s asking. Greenwood sub was questionable.

More Stories Aaron Wan-Bissaka Anthony Elanga Bruno Fernandes Cristiano Ronaldo David de Gea Edinson Cavani Jadon Sancho Luke Shaw Manchester United Marcus Rashford Mason Greenwood Nemanja Matic Phil Jones Raphael Varane Scott McTominay Wolves