Manchester United end 2025 with possibly the nicest fixture on the record as they hosted the bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers at home. However, like United seem to do, they made hard work of a fixture where they had previously cruised to victory just weeks prior, and settled for a disappointing point to end the year with mediocrity. With a very strained selection for Amorim, United struggled and felt like they were holding on come the closing stages of the clash.

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Teams

Manchester United: Lammens, Shaw, Martinez, Heaven (Yoro 75′), Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte (Mantato 75′), Dorgu, Cunha, Zirkzee (Fletcher 46′), Sesko

Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Fletcher, Obi, Lacey

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa, Krejci, Doherty, Mosquera, Bueno, Mane, Gomes, Arias (Wolfe 90′), Tchatchoua, Hwang (Lopez 88′), Arokodare (Strand Larsen 65′)

Subs: Johnstone, Hoever, Olagunju, Ojinnaka, Gonzalez, Sutherland

Manchester United 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers shared the spoils in a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, a result that felt fair after a lively and occasionally scrappy contest. United started with intent, enjoying plenty of the ball and pushing Wolves back early on, but they struggled to turn territory into clear-cut chances. The breakthrough eventually arrived midway through the first half, a well-worked move finished calmly to lift the home crowd and give United the lead they had been threatening.

Wolves, though, refused to be cowed and grew steadily into the game after the break. Their pressing caused United problems in midfield, and the visitors began to find joy down the flanks. The equaliser came just past the hour mark, a sharp counter-attack ending with a composed finish that silenced Old Trafford and swung the momentum firmly in Wolves’ favour. From there, the game opened up, with both sides sensing an opportunity to snatch all three points.

The final stages were played at a breathless pace, United pushing forward in search of a winner while Wolves looked dangerous every time they broke. Goalkeepers at both ends were called into action, and there were a few nervous moments in each penalty area, but neither side could find the decisive touch. In the end, a 1–1 draw felt like a reasonable outcome, leaving both teams with positives to take as the festive fixture list continued to test legs and squads alike.

Talking Points

For Manchester United, this draw felt like a fittingly frustrating way to close out 2025. What promised to be a chance to build momentum instead underlined a year that never quite caught fire. Old Trafford saw plenty of effort but too little authority, and the familiar pattern of dominance without incision left supporters heading into the new year with more questions than answers. A single point did little to mask the sense that United are still searching for rhythm, confidence, and a clear identity.

That feeling was only amplified by the opposition. Wolves arrived with a reputation as one of the league’s most beatable sides, struggling for consistency and goals for much of the campaign. Yet United never truly imposed themselves, allowing the visitors to grow into the game and ultimately dictate long spells after the break. Rather than turning the screw, United played within themselves, and Wolves looked increasingly comfortable, exposing a worrying inability to put vulnerable teams to the sword.

Injuries and absences offered some explanation, if not a full excuse. United’s lack of depth was glaring, particularly in midfield and attack, where tired legs and limited options from the bench reduced the manager’s ability to change the flow of the game. With key players side-lined, the burden fell heavily on a small core, and it showed as the intensity dipped in the second half. As the calendar turns, United’s challenge is clear: rediscover consistency and hope that reinforcements, either returning from injury or arriving in January, can prevent more nights like this from defining the months ahead.