Manchester United keep Wolves at bay
Manchester United rode their luck to start the Premier League season with victory as Raphael Varane's header earned a 1-0 win over Wolves on Monday. Wolves had seen manager Julen Lopetegui walk out less than a week before the new campaign, but dominated for long spells at Old Trafford. A combination of wasteful finishing and new United goalkeeper Andre Onana kept the visitors at bay until Varane headed in 14 minutes from time. The Red Devils then clung on to get off to a winning start, in stark contrast to the two defeats that began Erik ten Hag's reign 12 months ago. But the manner of the performance raises questions over whether United can pose a serious challenge for their first Premier League title in a decade. Wolves, by contrast, lost Lopetegui less six days ago due to a lack of funds in the transfer market. Gary O'Neil replaced the Spaniard tasked with repeating his heroics in keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League last season. Wolves did not look like a club in crisis as they controlled the game, but suffered from a lack of a cutting edge up front. Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha fired the best chances of the first-half just past the post. Cunha came even closer at the start of the second period. The Brazilian should have scored when he hit the outside of the post. Ten Hag turned to his bench in search of solutions as Mount and Alejandro Garnacho were sacrificed for Cristian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho. But the big chances continued to come Wolves way. Pedro Neto was next to waste a glorious opportunity when he shot straight at Onana with just the Cameroonian to beat. Wolves’ wastefulness in front of goal came back to haunt them when Varane nodded in 15 minutes from time. Bruno Fernandes' pass picked out defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whose lofted cross picked out the French centre-back to head into an unguarded net. (AFP)