Manchester United 4‑1 Wolverhampton Wanderers – Fernandes fires United back into Champions‑League race

Manchester United moved a step closer to a Champions‑League spot after a dominant 4‑1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Monday. The win, United’s second in six matches, lifted them within a point of the top‑four and ended Wolves’ eight‑game losing streak in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes was the catalyst, scoring twice and assisting the other two goals. After Wolves’ Jean‑Ricner Bellegarde cancelled out Fernandes’ early opener – the club’s first top‑flight goal since October 26 – United responded in the second half. Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock, Mason Mount added a second, and Fernandes completed the scoring with a penalty in the 82nd minute.

The match had been a must‑win for United, who had slipped to sixth after a 1‑0 home loss to ten‑man Everton on November 24 and a 1‑1 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford. Manager Ruben Amorim, under growing pressure, needed a statement result against a Wolves side that entered the game at the bottom of the table with just two points from 15 games.

Wolves, meanwhile, extended their unwanted record to eight consecutive league defeats, matching their worst run since the 1981‑82 season. Manager Rob Edwards remains winless since taking over from Vitor Pereira in November, and the club’s dire form puts them on course to challenge the Premier League’s all‑time low points record.

The game was not without controversy. Hundreds of Wolves supporters boycotted the opening 15 minutes to protest against owners Fosun and executive chairman Jeff Shi. Early chances were squandered, most notably a tame shot from Diogo Dalot that was saved by Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone.

United’s victory restores some confidence ahead of a crucial fixture against Arsenal and a trip to Brentford, while Wolves will look to break their slump in the next two matches to avoid equalling Sheffield United’s 17‑game winless start.