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By Marcus Rashford late hit Wolves 1-0 to move United manchester in second place in the Premier League, as fears about a continuation of the season due to rising coronavirus infection rates rose on Tuesday.
United worked for long stretches against a young Wolves team, but made a huge chunk of fortune in the 93rd minute when a shot from Rashford hit Romain Saiss to leave Rui Patricio defenseless.
The victory brings Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men to second place and continues an excellent streak of 23 points out of last 27 possible to mount an unlikely title challenge after a slow start to the season.
Despite enjoying one more day of rest amid the busy holiday schedule than his opponents, Solskjaer made six changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Leicester on Boxing Day.
Edinson Cavani made his second Premier League start, while Paul Pogba returned in midfield, but United were lucky to get away with a pedestrian performance.
The Wolves were in action just 48 hours earlier, when they beat Tottenham 1-1 at Molineux.
Nuno Espirito Santo brought in youngsters Max Kilman, Ki-Jana Hoever, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Vitinha to give the visitors energy and their plan almost earned a valuable point despite running out of gas in the final stages.
The last clash between the teams at Old Trafford in February was Bruno Fernandes’ debut for United.
The Portuguese has had a transformative impact on United’s fortunes, but failed to beat international teammate Patricio with the hosts’ best chance in the first half as he snuck down the back post to find a cross from Mason. Greenwood.
On Sunday, Saiss took a corner kick from Pedro Neto at the end to give the Wolves a deserved point against the Spurs and the same two players almost combined to open the scoring when Saiss converted a Neto free kick that forced David to de Gea to make a smart save.
United posed more attacking threat in the final 15 minutes than in the first 75 when Pogba then stung Patricio’s palms from long range.
Anthony Martial also shot from the edge of the penalty area before the breakthrough came into injury time.
Rashford ran towards Fernandes’ hopeful long ball over the top and the England international’s shot hit Saiss and flew towards Patricio’s near post.
Increase in Covid Cases
A record 18 positive tests for Covid-19 were detected among players and staff in the weekly round of testing.
Then From Manchester City travel to Everton Monday was postponed due to a Covid outbreak in Pep Guardiola’s squad, the five matches scheduled for Tuesday were held despite the interruption for Sheffield United and Southampton.
United, who are at the bottom of the table, revealed that they had suffered several positive cases, but could still line up a team of 18 for their 1-0 defeat in Burnley.
Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl led his team from home to a 0-0 draw against West Ham after a member of your household tested positive.
The Telegraph reported that the Premier League will discuss plans for a two-week circuit breaker with infection rates skyrocketing across England.
However, Solskjaer asked that the competition continue.
“I’m not sure if stopping playing football will make a difference,” said Solskjaer, whose team faces an unexpected title challenge after a slow start to the season.
“In our bubble we have proven to be quite [safe]We have not had too many cases transmitted within the group. “
On the pitch, United was lucky to escape with the three points against a young Wolves, who was in action just 48 hours ago against Tottenham.
According to various meetings between the parties in recent years, the chances were few and far between.
But United responded to Solskjaer’s call to win more games at the end with the style he did as a player during Alex Ferguson’s time at Old Trafford, as Rashford’s shot deflected from Romain Saiss in injury time.
“This is a big step forward that you don’t take, but you still win,” Solskjaer added.
Arsenal eased fears that they could be drawn into a relegation battle with a 3-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday and can now look up with hope thanks to Alexandre Lacazette’s triumph in a 1-0 win at Brighton.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned from injury at Lacazette’s place in the only substitution made by Arteta.
But the French forward came off the bench to make an instant impact with a fine shot near the post of Bukayo Saka’s pass just 21 seconds after entering.
The victory moves the Gunners to 13th place, six points out of the top six.
“The best medicine is the one that wins. When you win, it’s a different story and the picture looks better right now,” Arteta said.
West brom are next for Arsenal this weekend and the Baggies’ confidence after a shocking 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday quickly evaporated into a 5-0 blowout by Leeds.
A miserable night for West Brom began with a self-inflicted injury when Romain Sawyers scored a remarkable own goal as his back pass passed over Sam Johnstone.
Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison and Rodrigo made it 4-0 before the break and Raphinha’s powerful punch in the top corner inflicted Sam Allardyce’s biggest loss at home as Premier League coach.
Allardyce said new recruits in the January transfer window were now a “necessity” with West Brom five points from safety.
Sheffield United is the only team below West Brom in the table and their chances of survival are rapidly diminishing with just two points from their first 16 games.
Blades manager Chris Wilder said “a couple of players were absent due to illness” and “four or five backroom employees tested positive.”
Ben Mee scored the only goal at Turf Moor when Burnley moved five points away from the relegation zone and edged out Brighton in 16th place.
Southampton missed a chance to break into the top four as they failed to score for the third straight game in a 0-0 draw with West Ham.
