Manchester United surged to sixth in the Premier League, just one point behind fourth place, with a 4-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Molineux on Monday night. Bruno Fernandes squeezed in a scrappy goal to put United 1-0 up on 25 minutes despite slipping before he shot. But Wolves scored their first goal in 540 Premier League minutes which means United still have just one top-flight clean sheet this season despite utilising effectively a back five.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde pulled the hosts level but the Red Devils punched back six minutes into the second half with Bryan Mbeumo scoring his sixth league goal of the season. After Wolves threatened another equaliser, Mason Mount scored a decisive third with a stylish finish. And a Wolves handball allowed Fernandes to seal his brace from the penalty spot and complete a handsome victory. Express Sport rates and slates the Red Devils...
Man Utd player ratings vs Wolves
Senne Lammens - 6
Didn't face a single shot on target until the goal, which was too far into the bottom corner for the Belgian to reach. Largely untested outside of conceding the goal.
Luke Shaw - 7
One brilliant challenge to intercept possession in the first half and set United away on the counter was a highlight. Another top tackle won the ball back for the second goal.
Ayden Heaven - 6
Operated as the centre of the back three and did pretty well despite United conceding. It's never easy to be a 19-year-old centre-back in the Premier League.
Noussar Mazraoui - 6
Produced a vital header, and clearance, inside the box as Wolves put the pressure on around the hour mark. Could have been a different game if Wolves made it 2-2 there.
Diogo Dalot - 7
Should have scored his second goal in as many games just seven minutes in then might have done more to stop the cross before Wolves equalised. But a brilliant run and pass to set up United's second goal and generally much better offensively.
Bruno Fernandes - 10
A brilliant quick free-kick set up Dalot's early chance then the captain recovered well from slipping to make it 1-0 with an improvised finish from a prone position. He also set Mbeumo away with a great pass for a first-half chance and helped start the move for the Mbeumo goal. He picked out Mount for the decisive third with a great cross and another delivery almost saw Matheus Cunha score. A class penalty for his second. Everything United did well went through him. What a player.
Casemiro - 6
Won the ball back from Andre before the Fernandes opener and was well-positioned to clear a dangerous cross in the first half. Another good shift.
Amad Diallo - 5
Looked a threat when carrying the ball forward but was asleep for the Wolves goal, losing David Moller Wolfe before he pulled the ball back. Guilty of poor decision-making in one attack where he should have passed to Mount to shoot. His shot led to the penalty but only really found his level in the final stages.
Matheus Cunha - 7
Nice unselfish play to set up Fernandes' goal and denied one of his own by a goalline block after a lovely flick in the build-up. Played a perfect through ball for Dalot to assist Mbeumo's goal and then forced a good save with a close-range header.
Bryan Mbeumo - 7
Had a 1v1 saved by Sam Johnstone before the half-hour mark and was then booked for a late tackle after giving the ball away. A simple finish to make it 2-1 and get on the scoresheet yet again.
Mason Mount - 8
Operated as a false nine and produced the finish of a seasoned No.9 on the hour mark following a smart run into space. Lovely technique and played some great passes elsewhere to make the United attack tick. Completed 27 of his 28 passes. A really good performance.
Substitutes
Lisandro Martinez (Heaven 69) - 6
Only a third Premier League appearance of the season and by far his most minutes in one. Managed a good headed clearance in stoppage time.
Leny Yoro (Mazraoui 69) - 6
Didn't have too much to do with Wolves well beaten by the time he came on.
Kobbie Mainoo (Casemiro 78) - N/A
Got a huge cheer when he came on.
Joshua Zirkzee (Mount 84) - N/A
His 'One More Time' Daft Punk chant got a few renditions. Booked.
Patrick Dorgu (Dalot 84) - N/A
Some minutes in the legs.