Man Utd vs Wolves: The Red Devils overcome difficulties at Old Trafford at the end of 2025.
Manchester United aim to beat struggling Wolves to close the gap on the Premier League top four, despite the challenging personnel situation under manager Ruben Amorim.
At 3:15 AM on December 31, 2025 (Vietnam time), Manchester United will host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in the 19th round of the Premier League. This is a crucial match for Ruben Amorim's team to secure a strong position in the race for European qualification in 2025.
The contrast in performance
Manchester United are gradually rediscovering their identity under Ruben Amorim's leadership. The 1-0 victory against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, thanks to a spectacular volley from Patrick Dorgu, is proof of this mental transformation. In their last eight matches, the "Red Devils" have won five, climbing to sixth place in the league table with 29 points.
In stark contrast, Wolverhampton Wanderers are mired in crisis. Their recent 1-2 defeat against Liverpool extended their losing streak to 11 consecutive games. With only 2 points after 18 rounds and a record 25 defeats in the calendar year of 2025, Rob Edwards's team is a leading candidate for relegation.
Ruben Amorim's Human Resources Problem
Despite having home advantage and being in good form, Man Utd are facing a serious squad crisis. A wave of injuries has deprived them of key defenders like Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire, while midfield is missing the heart of Bruno Fernandes and the young talent Kobbie Mainoo.
More seriously, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has left Amorim's squad depleted, with Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui all returning to their national teams. However, the return of Luke Shaw and the impressive form of young players like Leny Yoro and Heaven are expected to fill the void.
Tactics and hotspots
Coach Amorim is expected to revert to his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. The tactical focus will be on the flanks, where Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw will be instructed to push forward to exploit the opponent's weaknesses. Patrick Dorgu, a rising star with exceptional ability to create breakthroughs, will be a strategic asset in transitional situations.
The focus of the match will also be on Matheus Cunha. The striker will have an emotional reunion with his former club, Wolves. With Manchester United's attack short of personnel, Cunha's experience and understanding of Wolves' defensive system will be key to unlocking victory for the home team.
Predicted lineup
| Club | Predicted lineup |
|---|---|
| Man Utd (3-4-2-1) | Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Martinez; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Shaw; Dorgu, Cunha; Sesko. |
| Wolves (3-5-2) | Sa; Mosquera, S. Bueno, Krejci; Doherty, J. Gomes, Andre, H. Bueno; Hwang, Mane; Arokodare. |
General assessment
Although Wolves pulled off a surprise 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in April 2025, the situation has changed considerably. A team with low morale and a weak defense like Wolves' will struggle to withstand the pressure at the Theatre of Dreams. With their superior class, Man Utd are predicted to secure all three points, albeit a hard-fought victory.
Predicted score:Man Utd 2-1 Wolves
