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Anthony Martial's goal was only his second of 2023Manchester United bounced back from consecutive Premier League defeats by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford to strengthen their bid for a top-four finish.
Erik ten Hag's side had lost to Brighton and West Ham to give Liverpool - who were one point behind in fourth at the start of the day - hope of snatching a Champions League spot at their expense.
But Anthony Martial opened the scoring in the first half before Alejandro Garnacho added a second in stoppage time to secure a win that moved Manchester United four points clear of the Reds with three games remaining.
With Marcus Rashford out through injury, it looked like being a difficult day in front of goal for the hosts as they missed a number of decent chances, particularly through Antony.
The winger curled an effort just wide after racing into space before sending a header over from close range when unmarked.
But Antony provided the assist for the first-half breakthrough when he was played in by Bruno Fernandes and he unselfishly squared to Martial for the tap-in.
Antony had another opportunity to get on the scoresheet in the second half but he drove a shot just wide of the post after being set up by a Fernandes backheel.
However, substitute Garnacho finally got Manchester United's second when he raced through in the fifth minute of stoppage time before firing past Dan Bentley in the Wolves goal.
The visitors rarely threatened as they finished the game without a shot on target.
Manchester United remain fourth but are level on 66 points with Newcastle in third. Wolves, meanwhile, are 13th.
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Man Utd moving closer to Champions League return
After beating Aston Villa in their last game at Old Trafford, Manchester United's place in the top four at the end of the season looked a formality as they were seven points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.
But the Red Devils have been much less effective on the road than at home this season and the losses to Brighton and West Ham before Saturday's game opened the door for Jurgen Klopp's side to try to sneak in.
Regardless, Manchester United knew three wins from their final four games would seal a top-four spot and against a Wolves side who had recently secured Premier League safety, this will have been a game they would have felt confident of winning.
Oddly, the hosts played much of the game lacking the urgency of a side who still had plenty to play for and while they dominated play and created chances, they did not often work Bentley in the Wolves goal.
Antony, in particular, was wasteful with several chances and often chose to shoot when a team-mate was better placed, although crucially did make the right choice for the opener when he set up Martial for a simple finish.
While it took until the 94th minute for the hosts to get a second, the scoreline was far more reflective of Manchester United's dominance as they put the pressure back on Liverpool in the race for the top four.
More to follow.
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Manchester United
Squad number1Player namede Gea
Squad number29Player nameWan-Bissaka- Squad number19Player nameVarane
Squad number2Player nameLindelöf
Squad number23Player nameShaw- Squad number18Player nameCasemiro
- Squad number14Player nameEriksen
- Squad number21Player nameAntony
- Squad number8Player nameBruno Fernandes
- Squad number25Player nameSancho
Squad number9Player nameMartial
- Squad number5Player nameMaguire
Squad number17Player nameFred- Squad number27Player nameWeghorst
- Squad number49Player nameGarnacho
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Squad number25Player nameBentley
Squad number22Player nameNélson Semedo
Squad number15Player nameDawson
Squad number23Player nameKilman
Squad number24Player nameToti
Squad number27Player nameMatheus Nunes
Squad number8Player nameRúben Neves
Squad number5Player nameLemina
Squad number7Player namePedro Neto
Squad number12Player nameMatheus Cunha
Squad number29Player nameDiego Costa
Squad number9Player nameJiménez
Squad number10Player nameDaniel Podence
Squad number11Player nameHwang Hee-chan
Squad number37Player nameTraoré
Squad number64Player nameBueno
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1de Gea
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 19VaraneSubstituted forMaguireat 81'minutes
- 2Lindelöf
- 23ShawBooked at 90mins
- 18CasemiroBooked at 36mins
- 14EriksenSubstituted forFredat 81'minutes
- 21Antony
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 25SanchoSubstituted forGarnachoat 82'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 9MartialSubstituted forWeghorstat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Maguire
- 12Malacia
- 17Fred
- 20Dalot
- 27Weghorst
- 28Pellistri
- 31Butland
- 36Elanga
- 49Garnacho
Wolves
Formation 4-4-2
- 25Bentley
- 22Nélson Semedo
- 15DawsonBooked at 88mins
- 23Kilman
- 24GomesSubstituted forBuenoat 62'minutes
- 27Nunes
- 8Neves
- 5LeminaSubstituted forTraoréat 75'minutes
- 7NetoSubstituted forHwang Hee-chanat 45'minutes
- 12Matheus CunhaSubstituted forPodenceat 61'minutes
- 29Diego CostaBooked at 15minsSubstituted forJiménezat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Sá
- 4Collins
- 9Jiménez
- 10Podence
- 11Hwang Hee-chan
- 21Sarabia
- 35João Gomes
- 37Traoré
- 64Bueno
Referee:John Brooks
Attendance:73,570
Live Text
Match ends, Manchester United 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Second Half ends, Manchester United 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Casemiro (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal! Manchester United 2, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0. Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bruno Fernandes with a through ball following a fast break.
Foul by Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Luke Shaw (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Daniel Bentley.
Attempt saved. Antony (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Bruno Fernandes.
Attempt missed. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Craig Dawson (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Fred (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Craig Dawson (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Attempt missed. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is just a bit too high. Assisted by Luke Shaw following a corner.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Nélson Semedo.
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Harry Maguire.
Attempt missed. Wout Weghorst (Manchester United) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Bruno Fernandes with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Daniel Bentley.
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