Manchester United were unable to turn their stuttering form around against relegation-threatened Wolves after going down to 10 men during their clash at Molineux on Boxing Day.
Ruben Amorim had once again opted to omit Marcus Rashford from his travelling squad amid increasing speculation that the academy graduate will soon look to move on from his boyhood club.
But despite keeping on level footing in the first-half, United were hampered minutes into the second when captain Bruno Fernandes picked up a second yellow card and was forced off the pitch.
It took Wolves just 11 minutes after the Portugal international to go ahead via Matheus Cunha's opener, and under newly appointed manager Vitor Pereira, kept the upper hand despite a tense closing spell.
The hosts were sorely tested as the clock ran down, but managed to cling on and swipe three festive points thanks to a 98th-minute goal from Hwang Hee-Chan snuffing all hope of a comeback.
Here, Mail Sport's Aadam Patel runs the rule over who struggled and who shone as United's hunt for a resurrection under Amorim rolls on.
Manchester United (3-4-2-1):
Andre Onana - 4
Made some important saves including a great diving stop to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen but you simply cannot concede directly from a corner - though Matheus Cunha’s goal was pretty special.
Leny Yoro - 5
Came into the United’s three-man defence. Picked up a careless booking in the fourth minute but was decent until he was replaced for Antony just after the hour mark.
Harry Maguire - 5.5
Battled well with Stand Larsen all game though was done by the Wolves forward for his header which was saved by Onana. Like the rest of the United defence, will be fuming at the goal they conceded.
Lisandro Martinez - 5.5
Alongside Yoro and Maguire, wasn’t too bad but yet another game without a clean sheet. Missed a big chance in the first half when his header from six yards out was easily saved by Jose Sa.
Noussair Mazraoui - 6.5
Started at right wing-back further showing that he can play anywhere in this system. Battled well with Rayan Ait-Nouri before playing as a centre-half when Amorim made a triple change at 1-0. Probably United’s best player on the day.
Manuel Ugarte - 5
He has to do more. There’s certainly a quality player in there but he struggled to get into the game and was replaced just after the hour mark as United hunted for an equaliser.
Kobbie Mainoo - 5.5
Another one who has to offer more. Got into some good positions but lost the ball carelessly on a couple of occasions. Hooked off for Casemiro in the 64th minute.
Diogo Dalot - 6
Played down the left flank and put in a good shift. Had a good effort saved from outside the box and always offered an option. Should have been used more.
Amad Diallo - 5.5
Offered a threat but was wasteful when in possession. Made some poor decisions when in dangerous positions and was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho in the 80th minute.
Bruno Fernandes - 3
A day to forget for the United skipper. Cost his team. Booked for fouling Cunha in the first-half and then picked up a second yellow card for bringing down Nelson Semedo at the start of the second-half. No need to be making challenges like that when you’re on a booking. Stupid would be an understatement.
Rasmus Hojlund - 4.5
Back in the starting line-up but offered absolutely nothing against statistically the worst defence in the league. Cut a frustrated figure throughout due to the lack of service. Just 14 touches.
Substitutions
Antony - 5
Tried to make an impact with a drilled effort going just wide.
Casemiro - 5
Like Antony, had a chance to equalise but headed straight to Jose Sa.
Christian Eriksen - 5
Replaced Ugarte and United looked much better in midfield with Eriksen.
Alejandro Garnacho - 5
Replaced Diallo late on. Had a decent chance but headed over.
Joshua Zirkzee - 5
Came on for Hojlund with ten minutes to go. Did nothing,
Manager
Ruben Amorim - 4
Yes, he will call for patience and he wasn’t helped by his skipper but this was another lacklustre United display with barely any signs of change from the Erik ten Hag reign. Amorim has an almighty task on his hands and he knows it.
The_Real_Baggio
0
Man united first transfer under amorim for for serius save this season: Sell onana, rashford, bruno, dalot Buy kobel, olmo, osimhen, theo
as if they would want to come to united
BenCheong
0
Sell Onana, Pickford is better than him.
Rahbceiruy
0
That system Amorim using is fed up
tasacdiltu
1
Dalot 6. Nahhhhh
thought I was the only one that noticed that.. dalot that could not beat his man or crossed at all throughout the game
Australia7853904
0
Well here we go again blaming players for trying their best. Did you guess it. We need another clean out, BULL SHIT. If we lose more players they will just say more clean outs as we continue to lose. It was said at the start of Amorims reign that the formation he is trying to bring in will NOT work but that doesn’t matter as we upset more players to get so called better ones. This is Bull Shit as well. We should never have listened to ETH and should never listen to Amorim because all he wants to do is buy players in who are used to his formation strategy. Let’s stop there and think that when he gets the Sack we will be going through this again. LIKE HELL. Get a brain before it’s too late.
Foecdilmoy
1
At this rate, a DNA is necessary. For us to determine whether it's Ruben Amorim we got or Ten Hag's bearded brother.
Vuudnpsuz
0
southgate is the right man for this United job . Ruud van Nistelrooy was doing well before Amorim took over and start dragging us back he came in and made the already bad situation worst
how is ruud doing in in present job
Vuudnpsuz
0
Whatever tactics the Man u coach is using is not working. I cannot believe that all the Man u players are bad in spite of the rotation. Were they not doing well in their various clubs before man u bought them. Just wondering...
man utd need prayers and mercy
Vuudnpsuz
0
Amorim should stay HUMBLE AND PLAY RASHFORD. IF HE CONTINUES WITH THIS THICKNESS HE WILL FIND HIMSELF WITHOUT A JOB COME MID FEBRUARY
then Lisbon will take him back
Zuwabesz
0
Manchester United DNA is 4 at the back not 3 n new formation
Zuwabesz
1
Amorim should stay HUMBLE AND PLAY RASHFORD. IF HE CONTINUES WITH THIS THICKNESS HE WILL FIND HIMSELF WITHOUT A JOB COME MID FEBRUARY
Sosaikory
2
amorim must call rashford back to the squad
Viempry
1
Dalot 6. Nahhhhh
jehbdintyz
1
manager and Bruno 2,5
Lacckmpt
1
thanks for wolves
jendiklr
0
Whatever tactics the Man u coach is using is not working. I cannot believe that all the Man u players are bad in spite of the rotation. Were they not doing well in their various clubs before man u bought them. Just wondering...
lbcrna
0
Players power again... In those days when fergie was incharge there no such things as we miss whatever or whoever players... Doesn't fit to his philosophy players will be axe no matter who u are... Sigh.. Now... One player is missing n everyone point fingers at the manager.... Why this why that.... We r Manchester not united football club now... Even if united were to relegated to the 2nd tier of the league i still feels we must hold on to what the new manager wants...
why should United hold unto a manager who has fail to deliver. United need a coach that can deliver instant success and if Amorim can't deliver instant success just sack him and bring in another coach and we continue in this order until the right coach if found. just look at Chelsea and Barcelona, the standard is always high is either you deliver or you get sacked and they are doing better than United who chose to always give coach time to rebuild.
Sisamost
0
I don’t get it. Amorim pacing up and down often taking his sight off the game. He should be doing better. The team is not good at all
Wasciktz
0
This shit is done by ETH .........
Wasciktz
1
There is no rating for United player, every players 10/10 .
lbcrna
3
southgate is the right man for this United job . Ruud van Nistelrooy was doing well before Amorim took over and start dragging us back he came in and made the already bad situation worst
buhacekpz
3
Let's Admit it ManUtd is now mirred in MEDIOCRITY under a coach who is?! Yes MEDIOCRE 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
Arsenal1400
3
I think Championship should be the right league for Manchester United the way they are dropping points
DeSalts
4
United was busy celebrating City's temporary problems and forgot to clean their house...
Maakmpty
1
Man united first transfer under amorim for for serius save this season: Sell onana, rashford, bruno, dalot Buy kobel, olmo, osimhen, theo
kaebekmru
1
The fixtures are not easy, Radcliffe will still be waiting to see man utd down to relegation
kaebekmru
3
Just sack the coach please we can easily go relegation
kaebekmru
2
I think Van nesteroy understood this average players well and getting points with them, Amorim man utd is not a place for testing tactics, play back 4 before your send us to religation. Dalot is not a striker what is he always doing up and always losses ball and can’t track back fast
wioiorsyz
2
Players power again... In those days when fergie was incharge there no such things as we miss whatever or whoever players... Doesn't fit to his philosophy players will be axe no matter who u are... Sigh.. Now... One player is missing n everyone point fingers at the manager.... Why this why that.... We r Manchester not united football club now... Even if united were to relegated to the 2nd tier of the league i still feels we must hold on to what the new manager wants...
kaebekmru
0
Who will Amorim win now things are getting worse and worse , Maguire was great player yesterday, bronu is very careless that first yellow card was useless the Game was just 18 minutes no need for argument with referee, please give Maguire the captain arm band
Leoiknrsuz
1
Amorin's replacement is sacked so should be Amorin and Vanelstroy..United and Chelsea are sack and go teams... Confusing is it Rashfords fault or entire squad? dropped likes of Erricksen, Casemiro, Rashfords and the likes it's gone worse for United. make a postmortem and United indaba meeting...
Leoiknrsuz
0
The coach who replaced Amorin slumped in about 8games. if Amorin slump United even 3 places down the epl will you recommend a sack? or you will wait until relegation battle!
Teademnsy
0
Garnacho was doing very well so does Rashford before Amorin came, now it looks like his trying to buried United totally
Hasakmpr
3
that amorin....worst coach.is not fit to work in England..must be kicked off..why they can't bring Southgate or solksjaer or even Carrick.. they are better than amorin..please kick him..