Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-0 Manchester United: Hits and Flops as Red Devils held to stalemate at Molineux | FA Cup 2019-20

Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw against Wolves at the Molineux
Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw against Wolves at the Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers hosted Manchester United at the Molineux in the third round of the FA Cup, as they aimed to carry on their reputation as the Premier League's giant killers. Although the game was hardly a cagey affair, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw to force a replay at Old Trafford later this month.

Since achieving promotion to the Premier League in 2018, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have dazzled the top-flight with some breathtaking attacking football and taken the game to the opposition regardless of their calibre.

Wolves sensationally completed the league double over Manchester City this season and picked up many notable scalps against the traditional top six in the last 18 months, including victories against Manchester United and Liverpool and looked to continue their hot streak against a wounded Red Devils side.

The home side started the game energetically and forced a couple of decent saves from Sergio Romero, who deputized for David de Gea between the sticks for Manchester United. The Argentinian made a defining save in the 12th minute to maintain parity, as Matt Doherty's effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar after the ball found its way to him from a Wolves corner.

Romero was called into action in the second half and he lived up to the task once again, as he denied Pedro Neto with the Portuguese international clean through on all. Manchester United failed to register a single shot on goal till stoppage time and produced a lacklustre display once again, as Wolves' didn't have that little bit of luck to cap off an energetic showing with a victory.

As the two sides played out a stalemate at the Molineux, let's look at some of the hits and flops from the game.


Hit - Sergio Romero

Sergio Romero was at his brilliant best for Manchester United
Sergio Romero was at his brilliant best for Manchester United

Sergio Romero assumed his role between the sticks for Manchester United as David de Gea was rested, and the veteran goalkeeper did his reputation no harm as he produced a sensational showing for the away side. Going into the game, Romero had played only 7 games in all competitions for the Red Devils this season but the 32-year-old sensationally has more clean sheets (5) than David de Gea this season (4), an astonishing stat considering the Spaniard has featured 22 times this season.

The Argentine produced decisive saves either side of half time to keep United in the game, as he thwarted everything that came his way from a brave Wolves side. Adding to his point-blank save from Doherty in the first half, Romero came big for his side once again after the interval as Pedro Neto's was denied from close range.

Romero enhanced his reputation as a reliable deputy to de Gea and was the standout player for the Red Devils on the night, as they failed to break down a resolute Wolves side

Flop - Tahith Chong

Yet again, Tahith Chongs failed to impress for Manchester United
Yet again, Tahith Chongs failed to impress for Manchester United

Tahith Chong was handed a rare start as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to freshen things up from the side that fell to a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in their previous Premier League encounter. The youngster, however, failed to produce the goods as he produced a lacklustre display on the wings for the Red Devils.

Starting alongside Daniel James and Mason Greenwood upfront, Chong was ineffective in the final third and failed to produce anything noteworthy. The Dutchman's game is typified by the fact that he didn't complete a single dribble or register a shot on target, as he was withdrawn in the closing stages of the game for Diogo Dalot, who made his long-awaited return from injury.


Hit - Conor Coady

Conor Coady was imperious at the back for Wolves
Conor Coady was imperious at the back for Wolves

Since returning to the Premier League in 2018, Conor Coady has been one of the mainstay's of Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves side and the Englishman was at his brilliant best once again, as he produced an imperious display at the back for the home side. The skipper started alongside Leander Dendoncker and youngster Max Kilman in a three-man defence and orchestrated the backline with incredible command, as Manchester United were left red-faced in their efforts to beat the Wolves rearguard.

His 60 touches throughout the game was bettered only by Dendoncker and the Wolves captain attempted 55 passes with a commendable 85% completion rate. Coady was rock-solid at the back for the home side, as they registered a hard-fought draw against the Red Devils to force a replay at Old Trafford later this month.

Flop - Andreas Pereira

Andreas Pereira failed to make an impression in the game
Andreas Pereira failed to make an impression in the game

Andreas Pereira is another player who failed to make his opportunity count, as he was highly ineffective in the centre of the park for Manchester United. Starting alongside Nemanja Matic in a double pivot, the Brazilian international produced a dismal showing away from home as the away side ran him ragged in midfield.

The 24-year-old's 16% tackle success rate makes for grim reading, as he won just 1 of 6 tackles attempted. The fact that he was dispossessed twice in the centre of the park coupled with his 80% pass completion rate, which was the worst of any starting central midfielder on the day, compounded his misery as he faded away progressively in the game.


Hit - Adama Traore

Adama Traore produced a lively display once again for Wolves
Adama Traore produced a lively display once again for Wolves

Adama Traore is undergoing a renaissance of sorts this season, as the La Masia graduate seems to have finally come of age to produce the goods consistently. Often slated for the lack of end product, the 23-year-old has burst onto the scene this season with 5 goals and 7 assists in all competitions, including 3 goals and a solitary assist against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City as Wolves completed the domestic double over Pep Guardiola's side.

Traore produced a lively display once again, as he gave the Manchester United backline a torrid time with his pace, physicality and trickery. The Spaniard was on his bike every time Wolves recovered the ball in midfield and completed 10 out of 12 dribbles, with an astonishing success rate of 83%.

The former Barcelona man is one of the most devastating players to play against and his dribble success rate this season is the most startling example yet of his explosiveness on the ball. Although Wolves failed to put the ball into the back of the net, they did their reputation no harm with a spirited display to secure a well-deserved draw.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side will look to go to Old Trafford and implement their counter-attacking brand of football to perfection and eliminate the Red Devils from the FA Cup once again, as they aim for another deep run in the competition.

Quick Links

Edited by Amar Anand