Forster's Football Frenzy

Man Utd 4-3-3 } Romero-Awb,Lindelof,Maguire,Williams-Fred,Matic,Mata-Greenwood,Martial,James

Wolves 3-4-3 } Ruddy-Saiss,Coady,Dendoncker-Jonny,Moutinho,Neves,Dogherty-Traore,Jimenez,Neto

Looking at the lineups both teams, as they should, where taking this game very seriously. The winner of this game would play Watford/Tranmere in the fourth round away.

The game started well with chances for both teams, when Mata managed to find the out to in run of James however Ruddy was out quickly to deny the Welshman. It was evident early on that Uniteds front three where playing close together and where interchangeable throughout the first half hour, causing wolves back 3 some problems.

7 Minutes in and Adama Traore glided past Mata down the left and got to they bi-line before pulling it back for Jimenez on the penalty spot and got a shot away straight at the keeper. After 10 minutes United where causing their own problems, Fred who had looked better in recent weeks, tried to hit a cross field pass on the half volley, which hit of Matic and fell to Jimenez in the box who managed to bundle it past Maguire, before it fell to Neto who slotted it past Romero into the back of the net. However after a VAR check it was ruled out after it was shown hitting Jimenez hand in the build up, which meant poor Neto has now had goals ruled out against Liverpool and united this season.

Throughout the first half Man Utd continued to give the ball away in their own half under no real pressure, which was due to the slow lethargic build up and happy to go side to side. The only real threat was on the counter. Just before half time Fred lifted a ball over Wolves back 3 to james who struggled to get the ball under control and hit the bouncing ball straight at Ruddy.

With uniteds 2 real chances coming from runs in behind and balls that where turning wolves defence around surely they should utilise the pace of their front players and wolves high line to open them up more often ?

In the 2nd half it was evident the need United have for a tempo setter/deep lying playmaker. As Fred and matic are too passive and crab like. Mata continued to offer him self in the 10 posistion but they didnt have the creativity/quality to find him.

Just after the hour mark united where on the counter after dogherty lost the ball in opp box to Maguire who cleared the ball up field and Coady misjudged the flight of the ball, which broke to Martial who turned and played through Mata, who then enticed Ruddy before lifting it over the on rushing keeper 1-0 after a pointless VAR check. No real change in tempo from wolves after this though and failed to threaten Romeros goal. Could this be due to the amount of games these players have played already this season, 38 I believe, as this was one of the most subdued performances I have seen from them.

Full time 1-0

MOTM – Mata Always wanted the ball and possessed a lot more quality than the rest of uniteds midfield