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Appropriately, with Sir Alex Ferguson watching, Manchester United looted a late winner in ‘Fergie time’.
Throughout his brilliant time in charge, Fergie’s teams had the ability to score dramatic late winners, a trait that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is carrying out.
Rashford’s 93rd-minute goal, his 14th of the season, brought United to second place in the table, just two points behind leader and archrival Liverpool.
With Ferguson turning 79 tomorrow, Rashford’s goal was something of an anticipated birthday present for the former United manager, who braved freezing conditions to see his former team.
In truth, United did not do enough in 90 minutes to deserve the victory, with the Wolves nullifying their attack and playing with more initiative than their hosts.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
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But never knowing when they’re beaten is part of United’s DNA, and they once again showed that formidable trait to finish 2020 in second place, primed for an unlikely title boost in 2021.
For much of the game, though, United were second best, their subdued presentation was a surprise given in their last outing at Old Trafford, they put up six in Leeds, and Solskjaer claimed they could have scored 12.
It was the visitors who had the first sight of goal, Adama Traore pushed his way through several rivals before passing the ball to Pedro Neto, whose gentle shot went straight to David De Gea.
United caused trouble three minutes later when Paul Pogba narrowly lost possession to Traore, who in turn found Vitinha, whose shot was again easy for De Gea to handle.
A third effort on United’s goal came in quick succession for the Wolves, Eric Bailly faltering and allowing Traore to cause more trouble, his ball finding Ruben Neves, whose effort was rejected by De Gea.
It was an unconvincing start from the hosts, who allowed their opponents to dictate the pace of the game early on and create the best chances, Solskjaer quickly slipping down from the dugout into the technical area to address his team’s shortcomings.
(Image: PA)
Midway through the first half, United conceded a free kick that Neves found to Roman Saiss, whose looping header had De Gea worried, but he bounced off the crossbar and was safe.
When United saw the Wolves goal, they couldn’t make it count, Edinson Cavani looked at a deflected header, then Bruno Fernandes denied Rui Patricio point-blank after a good cross from Greenwood.
United continued to live dangerously on the other end, De Gea showed impressive reactions to instinctively block a volley effort from Saiss, following a free-kick from Neto.
The chances were few and far between after the break, as the cautious nature of the competition continued, both sides investigating, without even really looking like breaking the deadlock.
Rashford sent in a looped header, while the Wolves produced a deft build-up game that saw them advance to some promising positions.
(Image: Getty Images)
But once there, they missed the physical and predatory presence of their main goal threat, star forward Raúl Jiménez, still sidelined after suffering a skull fracture last month.
Cavani had the ball in the net with 20 minutes remaining, but was called offside, while De Gea’s heroics continued at the end, with a good save from Rayan Ait-Nouri.
But the game was decided in the third minute of added time, Bruno Fernandes found Rashford with an exquisite long pass.
Rashford was surrounded by five Wolves players, but was undaunted, turning to his left foot before unleashing a shot that deflected from Saiss and into the net, for the victory on the last gasp.
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