After the remarkable but expected success of the last match thread, Halfy is once again on hand to deliver yet more match thread shenanigans
Live @ https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/417444
One match ban enabled
Manchester United centre-half Eric Bailly is "very close" to a return but is not expected to play in the FA Cup third-round replay against Wolves.
Bailly, 25, has had two knee injuries that have kept him out of competitive action since April, but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he "might be back for the weekend" against Liverpool.
Ashley Young, linked with a move to Inter Milan, will also not play.
Wolves are without Diogo Jota, Bruno Jordao and Wily Boly on Wednesday.
Forward Jota has a dead leg, midfielder Jordao is out because of an ankle injury, while central defender Boly is still recovering from a fractured ankle sustained in a training session in October.
The winners will play away at either Premier League Watford or League One Tranmere.
The Hornets were 3-0 ahead in the first match, but Tranmere scored three second-half goals to force a replay, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday but was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
This game is Wolves' 38th of the season after they started their campaign in the Europa League qualifiers in July and boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been pleased with how his squad have handled the extra workload.
"It's about the way they prepare themselves on a daily basis with the way they recover and compete, credit to all the players," he said.
"It's the most important game, the next one is always the most important."
Matt Doherty
This effort from Matt Doherty was one of only two shots on target in the goalless draw on 4 January
United, like Wolves, are also in the last 32 of the Europa League, and will be playing for the 14th time in 46 days.
"It's relentless," said United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "We've still got five or six games before the winter break, 18 games in less than 60 days which is physically and mentally demanding, we have to energise them.
"This tournament is one we all dream about winning when we're young. I loved my time in the finals and lifting the trophy, so we want to go through."
The original match at Molineux ended 0-0 as United failed to have a shot on target - the first time that had happened since January 2015, although both sides hit the woodwork in the second half.
Pre-match stats
Manchester United are without a win in five games against Wolves in all competitions (drawn three, lost two) since a 5-0 victory in the Premier League in March 2012.
Wolves are without a win in their last 10 competitive away visits to face Manchester United at Old Trafford (drawn two, lost eight) since a 1-0 win in February 1980.
Manchester United have been taken to an FA Cup third round replay for the first time since 2012-13, when they eliminated West Ham at Old Trafford.
Wolves have lost nine of their 10 previous FA Cup away third round replays, winning the other versus Oldham in 2007.
Wolves' Diogo Jota has found the back of the net in two of his last three appearances against Manchester United, although both goals came at Molineux.
🔥Man Utd v Wolves🔥[LIVE]
posted on 15/1/20
Do you believe the crap you write UH ?
posted on 15/1/20
The problem we have with subs is that whoever we bring on makes us weaker. We simply don’t have enough good players and that is just exacerbated by us having played more games than any team in the Premier League so have some fatigue. It’s great that we start the new year in 7th and still in Europe but unless we bring in more good players then it’s difficult to see the rest of the season being as positive. Having Boly and Jota fit will help but we will need more
posted on 15/1/20
Word is that Leonardo Campana is coming however he's only 19 and hes away playing for Ecuador in an U23 tournament at the moment. Signings like Neto, Jordao, (Cutrone) and this seem to be indicative that Fosun are more comfortable investing in young talent than splashing out on established players. Maybe we have to accept that we are ahead of schedule and expecting us to keep improving the squad with big signings is unrealistic. Bringing in players that will develop with the club looks like the way forward.
posted on 15/1/20
It’s a difficult balance to reach when developing a squad. We want players who will improve the squad and be able to do a job when called upon, but then not someone like Cutrone who wants to go home cause he isn’t playing. So maybe young players that don’t expect to play every week is the answer. But when the likes of Neto are then asked to play every week because of an injury, then sometimes they play well and sometimes they don’t.
Does seem like Campana will come, and on a free, so doesn’t involve splashing the cash
posted on 16/1/20
comment by Clever - son son son - 'Ole Ole Ole - The Interim One'' (U18599)
posted 10 hours, 14 minutes ago
Cinci chi chi man mug.
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. Actually forgot this game was taking place. Been travelling for weeks and this one slipped through the net.
posted on 16/1/20
Sounds like a disappointing showing.
posted on 16/1/20
comment by Uncle Herbert (U16263)
posted 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
Wolves have long since plateaued and are now going backwards, having stood still.
Southampton could well be above Wolves in two games time. Southampton!!!
And then comes terminal velocity around Christmas next season. Nuno off in the summer, absolutely no doubt about that. Fosun pulling the funding and no new or improved ground with the Communists behind the 'front' company withdrawing back behind the financial curtain - as was widely reported when corrupt FIFA leaked there would be no World Cup in China for the foreseeable future.
Wolves need new owners and preferably from either the USA or the Middle East.
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Biggest 2 weeks of Fosun's tenure approaching.
By the end of the month we will know their true intentions, one way or the other. At this stage it does look like we are in "imminent collapse mode" again.
posted on 16/1/20
In the end yes but we played some decent football and should have been one maybe two up at ht. Couldn't maintain that standard in the second half though.
posted on 16/1/20
herb, you should try getting your info somewhere else than WM and any passing villa fan on the mean streets of selly oak.
tim spears in the athletic paints a very different picture - one where nuno is supremely happy at wolves where he has the final say on everything and where fosun think that the sun shines out of nunos rear end and cant wait to hand over the dosh for anybody nuno asks for.
the only hold up is nuno being super picky.
posted on 16/1/20
comment by Uli Fritz (U8869)
posted 30 minutes ago
herb, you should try getting your info somewhere else than WM and any passing villa fan on the mean streets of selly oak.
tim spears in the athletic paints a very different picture - one where nuno is supremely happy at wolves where he has the final say on everything and where fosun think that the sun shines out of nunos rear end and cant wait to hand over the dosh for anybody nuno asks for.
the only hold up is nuno being super picky.
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well said tubs