MANCHESTER – Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on December 26, 2025, a result that encapsulates the struggles faced by the home team throughout the year. The draw was celebrated by Wolves fans, who had witnessed their team endure 11 consecutive Premier League defeats. In contrast, the home crowd left Old Trafford expressing their displeasure at another lackluster performance.
Head coach Ruben Amorim recognized that there is substantial work ahead to return Manchester United to a competitive level. Following a hard-fought victory against Newcastle United just days earlier, this match served as a stark reminder of the team’s ongoing issues. Wolves demonstrated resilience, looking far from the league’s bottom side, while United’s performance fell flat, failing to capitalize on their home advantage.
Amorim commented on the team’s struggles, stating, “I understand why we play the way we play today, lack of fluidity, lack of one against one.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by Wolves, noting that the match differed significantly from their recent encounter against Newcastle. The lack of creativity and attacking prowess was evident, leading to a game that ended in discontent for United supporters.
United’s goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, was the standout player for his side, making vital saves to keep the game level. Without his interventions, the Wolves could have celebrated their first league victory of the season, marking the end of their longest winless streak since 1902. Wolves’ performance was commendable, generating a higher expected goals (xG) of 1.02 compared to United’s 0.81 and having more touches in the penalty area.
The match took a pivotal turn when United thought they had secured a stoppage-time winner, only for Patrick Dorgu‘s effort to be disallowed. Wolves’ manager, Rob Edwards, expressed satisfaction with the draw, stating, “It is nice to take something… I do feel it is the least we deserved. It’s progress.”
The game saw United’s goal come from Joshua Zirkzee, whose shot took a significant deflection off Ladislav Krejcí. Despite netting the equalizer, Zirkzee’s performance has faced scrutiny, reflecting the larger issues within the squad. Amorim’s tactical decision to revert to a back three against the league’s bottom team raised eyebrows, particularly after a successful outing against Newcastle using a back four.
United’s ongoing struggles at home are concerning, with just three points from a possible 12 in matches against teams like Everton and West Ham. The absence of key players, including Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes, has significantly impacted the team’s attacking capabilities. Amorim noted the difficulty of playing without these influential figures, stating, “We just need to recover our players from AFCON.”
As the team prepares for their next fixture against Leeds United, questions remain about Amorim’s future and whether he can turn the season around. Supporters are hoping for a swift return of injured players to inject much-needed creativity into the squad. The draw against Wolves highlighted the precarious position Manchester United finds itself in, as they head into 2026 with mounting challenges ahead.
