Krejčí's Late Header Denies United at Old Trafford
Key Takeaways
- • Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford
- • Ladislav Krejčí's 45th-minute header cancelled out Joshua Zirkzee's earlier strike for the hosts
- • Wolves goalkeeper José Sá produced five crucial saves to frustrate sixth-placed United
- • The result leaves Wolves rooted to the bottom with just two points from sixteen matches
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — Ladislav Krejčí rose highest in first-half stoppage time, his header finding the bottom corner to rescue a precious point for bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 1-1 draw that left Manchester United frustrated at Old Trafford. The Czech defender's intervention, coming just moments before the interval, silenced the home crowd and denied sixth-placed United the chance to close the gap on the top four.
Joshua Zirkzee had given United the lead in the 27th minute with a composed left-footed finish from outside the box, finding the centre of the goal with precision. The Dutch forward's strike appeared to set the hosts on course for three points against a Wolves side desperately seeking their first win of the campaign. But Krejčí had other ideas, timing his run perfectly from a corner to power home the equalizer in the 45th minute, his header nestling into the bottom right corner beyond the reach of Senne Lammens.
Manchester United enjoyed the majority of possession at 56.6%, dominating territory and creating the better chances throughout the contest. The hosts registered 15 shots to Wolves' 11, with six on target compared to four for the visitors. United also won eight corners to Wolves' four, yet couldn't find the breakthrough that their territorial advantage deserved. Benjamin Sesko came agonizingly close in the 90th minute when his effort was saved by José Sá, and again in the 83rd minute when the Wolves keeper tipped his header over the bar.
The battle in midfield proved crucial, with Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro working tirelessly for United against the combative duo of João Gomes and Mateus Mané. Wolverhampton Wanderers's goalkeeper was called into action five times, producing a heroic performance that kept his side in the contest. Sá's reflexes denied Sesko twice in the closing stages and palmed away Ugarte's long-range effort in the 65th minute. At the other end, Yerson Mosquera went close in the 64th minute, his point-blank effort somehow missing the target after Krejčí's initial shot had been saved.
The turning point arrived in those frantic moments before half-time. United had controlled the opening 44 minutes, but Krejčí's perfectly-timed header from the corner shifted momentum. The visitors emerged for the second half with renewed belief, and while United pressed for a winner, Wolves defended with determination. Jackson Tchatchoua and Matt Doherty threw their bodies on the line, with the former picking up a yellow card in the 63rd minute for his troubles. The match remained clean otherwise, with no red cards shown despite twelve fouls from Wolves and nine from United.
The final ten minutes descended into chaos as United threw everything forward. Patrick Dorgu saw his effort blocked, Diogo Dalot headed wide from a corner, and substitute Leny Yoro added fresh legs to the United backline. But Wolves held firm, with Hugo Bueno and Ladislav Krejčí marshalling the defensive line superbly. Matheus Cunha, operating in an unfamiliar role for United, won a late free-kick but couldn't conjure the magic needed to break the deadlock.
Looking ahead, Manchester United will travel to face Arsenal on January 10, a fixture that could define their top-four ambitions. For Wolverhampton Wanderers, the fight for survival continues as they search desperately for that elusive first victory of the season.