
<p>Manchester United kickstarted their Premier League campaign with a slender 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Old Trafford Stadium on Monday evening. The hosts weren’t close to their very best as Wolves put on a terrific performance and had the better chances over the course of ninety minutes.</p>



<p>In their first game under <a href="https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20230809-gary-o-neil-appointed-new-head-coach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gary O’Neil</a>, the visitors started on the front foot, playing with gusto, were positive on the ball whenever they had possession, and looked to hit United on the counter with their free-flowing passing game.</p>



<p>The hosts created the first real opportunity of the game when Marcus Rashford brought out a smart save from Jose Sa with his darting run in behind the Wolves’ defense. </p>



<p>Right at the half an hour mark, Matheus Cunha darted past the United midfield and almost created the first goal of the day. His layoff to Pablo Sarabia created an opening but the latter’s shot deflected off Raphael Varane on its way out. Sarabia then turned provided to Cunha but the Brazilian dragged his shot just wide as the score remained goalless heading into the first half whistle.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Raphael Varane gives Manchester United the lead and Old Trafford goes WILD! 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a><br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/USANetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USANetwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/KTbD9tKHeq">pic.twitter.com/KTbD9tKHeq</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1691187399651368960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>United scrape past Wolves</h2>



<p>Wolves were unlucky not to score the opening goal as Cunha hit the post just five minutes after the restart. Alejandro Garnacho almost gave United the lead when he beat Sa with a delicate lob but Craig Dawson got back to head it over the crossbar to keep the scores level. </p>



<p>The visitors should have gone ahead in the 73rd minute but after some wonderful interplay, Hwang Hee-chan shot straight to Andre Onana in the United goal.</p>



<p>United took full advantage of the missed chance just three minutes later when Varane scored from close range. It was Bruno Fernandes who played a delightful ball over the backline and following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s volley cross, the French defender nodded in to send the home fans in delirium. </p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Did the Premier League hire Leagues Cup referees to officiate Manchester United vs Wolves?! Wolves robbed of a blatant foul in the box. <a href="https://t.co/Mf2TA6qEzY">pic.twitter.com/Mf2TA6qEzY</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1691194007047598080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The hosts weathered a late barrage of attacks as they escaped a penalty appeal despite VAR intervention. Replays suggested that Onana had brought down Sasa Kalajdzic after mistiming a punch.</p>



<p>After the match, <a href="https://theathletic.com/4776111/2023/08/14/gary-o-neil-andre-onana-wolves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">O’Neil received an apology</a> from PGMOL’s Jonathan Moss.</p>



<p>Despite the defeat, O’Neil would be proud of his side’s display away from home as they get ready to host Brighton. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> on the other hand travel away to Tottenham next weekend.</p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Sportimage</em></p>


Varane header helps United scrape past Wolves

In their first game of the 2023/23 Premier League season, viewers watched Manchester United United scrape past Wolves.

Varane header helps United scrape past Wolves - World Soccer Talk


<p>Julen Lopetegui has finally parted ways with Wolves, and former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil will assume his role as manager. The Spanish coach was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/julen-lopetegui-could-make-drastic-decision-on-wolves-future-20230804-WST-447689.html">at odds with the club’s ownership</a> for months. Wolves have been dealing with financial issues, which has meant little spending so far in the transfer window. <a href="https://theathletic.com/4280232/2023/03/07/wolves-accounts-premierleague-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reports</a> in the spring suggested that the club must soon pay over $130 million in bank loans.</p>



<h5>Club claims ‘differences of opinion’ in decision</h5>



<p>“While our ambition had been to move into the new season together, it is public knowledge that there were differences of opinion on some key topics, and it was agreed by all parties that it would be best to part ways ahead of the new campaign,” Matt Hobbs, sporting director at Wolves <a href="https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20230808-wolves-and-lopetegui-agree-to-part-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> on Tuesday.</p>



<p>“After a successful preseason, full of hard work and good performances, Julen and his staff leave the squad in great shape ahead of the season opener next week, which will give his successor the best possible platform for success.”</p>



<p>Wolves only <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/julen-lopetegui-unveiled-as-new-wolves-manager-20221105-WST-406937.html">hired Lopetegui back in November</a>. The team sat bottom of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> when the Spaniard arrived at the club. Nevertheless, the former Porto and Sevilla coach guided Wolves to safety during the 2022/23 campaign. The West Midlands side ended up finishing 13th on the season.</p>



<h2>Wolves quickly hire Gary O’Neil to succeed Spaniard</h2>



<p>The move to part ways with their manager did not come at a particularly great time. Wolves start their 2023/24 season on Monday against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>. However, the club has moved quickly to name Gary O’Neil as their new head coach.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gary O&apos;Neil has been appointed as our new head coach.<br><br>Welcome to the club, Gary 🤝</p>— Wolves (@Wolves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wolves/status/1689275469630222337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>“We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the club,” <a href="https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20230809-gary-o-neil-appointed-new-head-coach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Hobbs. “He’s a highly motivated young coach with strong principles and very well thought of by everyone he has worked with, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together at Wolves.”</p>



<p>Much like Lopetegui, O’Neil also helped his former team avoid relegation during the 2022/23 season. Previously with Bournemouth, the Englishman arrived after just four matches into the most recent campaign. O’Neil took the Cherries to safety thanks to quality wins against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tottenham-tv-schedule/">Tottenham Hotspur</a>. However, the South Coast club also recorded key wins against eventual relegation sides Leeds, Leicester, and Southampton.</p>



<p>O’Neil will now essentially have four days with his new players to prepare for a trip to Old Trafford. Wolves have managed to win at the historic arena just once since 1980.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; PA Images</em></p>


Wolverhampton Wanderers have named Gary O'Neil has the club's new head coach. Former manager Julen Lopetegui departed on Tuesday.

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Leagues: EPL

Varane header helps United scrape past Wolves

Julen Lopetegui

Lopetegui leaves Wolves, club names O'Neil as successor