Manchester United will face stiff competition to sign 25-year-old Brazil international Matheus Cunha, with Arsenal and Aston Villa among the five Premier League clubs interested in the Wolves forward. (Sky Sports), external
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images"I don't think we were good, I don't think we played overly well," said Dan Bentley. "By our own standards, we're not delighted with the performance, and we weren't at our fluid best. But we showed a steeliness."
We were standing on the same spot as almost exactly two years previously, after Bentley had made his first Premier League appearance at Old Trafford. Before Sunday, he had started only four more league games since and then, 20 minutes before kick-off, Jose Sa seemed to feel something go in his back.
After signing, Bentley was always likely to be the number two to Sa but the unexpected signing of Sam Johnstone last summer pushed him back down the queue. His efficient display on Sunday reflected well on how diligently he has worked in the background.
"I've been in a position I don't specifically like, in terms of number three," he said. "Obviously I want to be challenging to play and putting pressure on whoever's playing.
"But I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, and this was one of those days where I end up on the pitch, keeping a clean sheet and getting three points at Old Trafford, which is something I'll savour."
He has at least had a ringside seat to study how Wolves' season has been repaired.
"A huge part of it is mentality," he explained. "When our mentality is right, we give ourselves the best chance. Maybe it was the position that we were in, where we were teetering above the relegation zone, and maybe there was a realisation of 'actually, this is serious'.
"I don't want to say we were in a false position, because we were in that position for a reason, and our performances up to that point put us there. But we've all had to dig in and show our quality to stay in the Premier League, because it's an unforgiving league."
Part of that mentality, in Bentley's account, is to not be satisfied even after winning a fifth successive game.
"100% we can do better," he said. "I'm sure if the gaffer came back here now he'd tell you that he's probably disappointed with the performance. It does show the mentality.
"A lot of that is instilled from him. He demands that from us, and we now demand it from each other, so it's a good place to be."
Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked you whether Matheus Cunha would be missed at Wolves.
This is what you said:
Nick: Cunha is a brilliant player and under Gary O'Neil, he saved Wolves' season. Now Pereira has Wolves playing as they should, Cunha is not Wolves' only goalscorer. I don't understand why many are painting Cunha leaving to be a disaster for Wolves.
David: Cunha is a very good player, although temperament is suspect. No-one is bigger than the club, so if Cunha wants to go, good luck to him. I think though, like countless others, he'll come to realise that playing every week and being adored by the fans is preferable for your career than being an occasional starter on big wages. As for joining Man Utd, I can't see why he'd take a sideways step to a toxic club - unless it's all about the money.
Steve: Wolves without Cunha is definitely an improvement. Very gifted player no doubt but seriously flawed. Sulks and does not perform for the team. He wants to play for us, gets new contract and then within a couple of games talking about leaving. Disciplinary wise he is a nightmare and a poor example to youngsters. Take the money and run and bring in a couple of committed players that work for the team.
Darron: It's a real shame Matheus wants to leave, as I think we're on the verge of getting back into a possible top 10 or even higher finish next season. Vitor Pereira has a nucleus of players to build around, which could have included him. I thought he would possibly stick around, taking note of players like Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota, who stuck with us when we got promoted to the Premier League and brought Europa League football to the Molineux for two successive seasons.
Matt: Cunha can go. He's a top-class player and dare I say it's time for him to move on. The issue I have with our owners is how they will spend the money. Someone has got to score the goals when Cunha goes. Have Wolves got the network to find a diamond in the rough? I just hope we don't waste the money.
Birchy: Wolves have done well enough with Cunha for the games injured and suspended. As long as the money is re-invested properly, I think we will be just fine.
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
News of your star player's possible summer exit breaking just as you have secured your Premier League status for another season is not ideal as as a fan.
But that is the reality for Wolves supporters after it emerged on Tuesday that Manchester United are interested in signing forward Matheus Cunha.
With 16 goals and four assists across all competitions this campaign, the 25 year old's numbers have been impressive.
But how worried do fans need to be about the possibility of life without Cunha?
Maybe not as concerned as they once could have been.
While the sample size of matches without the Brazil international in the side is much smaller (13 as opposed 62), according to Opta, Wolves do boast a better win percentage across all competitions over the past two seasons when he has not played - 61.5% without Cunha against 29% with.
With 91 goals scored in games he has featured and 18 netted when has not, the average number of goals for is remarkably similar (1.5 with vs 1.4 without).
The team also tend to concede less when he has not been on the pitch, averaging 1.9 with him and 1.2 without.
When looking at the Premier League alone over the past two seasons, while again a similar difference in sample size, Wolves have picked up more points without the forward in the team - taking 1.1 points per game when Cunha does play, compared to 1.7 when he does not.
With 12 goals and three assists in 34 games this campaign, a key factor has been striker Jorgen Strand Larsen stepping up in Cunha's absence.
While no team ever wants to lose their top scorer, perhaps it is possible for Wolves to breathe a little easier if they ultimately have to say goodbye to Cunha this summer.
Image source, PA MediaBBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions as we approach the final handful of games.
Nick asked: Hi Phil, a bit of a multi-question about Wolves. Do you think their current form bodes well for next season? Do you think Wolves look better without Matheus Cunha and do you think he is showing he lacks the mentals by claiming he wants to win titles while looking likely to join a mess that is Manchester United?
Phil replied: Hello, Nick. Having seen a bit of Wolves recently, I do think their form bodes well for next season. Vitor Pereira has done a top-class job but it is now about recruitment in the summer. There are some really talented players there to build on.
I think Wolves would miss a player of Cunha's class but they will get a fee of £62.5m if he goes, so then it will give them a chance to work smartly in the markets.
There has been a lot of noise around Cunha and I expect him to go.
Whether he ends up at Old Trafford remains to be seen but, strange as it might sound after this season, Manchester United will always hold a special appeal for players.
How would Wolves fare without Cunha?
Could they be better off?
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, WolvesWolves may have already made positive progress in their sustainability ambitions but they know there are still a "huge number of opportunities" to take it further.
The impact of climate change is being felt in many different ways and football is not immune to these.
Previous research, external has suggested one in four professional football pitches will be at risk from flooding in 25 years.
While so much of the focus is what is happening on the pitch, there is an increasing expectation from supporters that clubs should be doing more to reduce their impact off it.
In the second part of our Earth Day chat with Thom Rawson, Wolves' sustainability lead highlighted how important this relationship with fans has been to their One Pack, One Planet sustainability programme.
"A key part of [developing the strategy] was a fan survey to confirm this is something that fans wanted," Rawson said.
"The results of that survey told us that around 70-80% of fans agreed it was important for the club to be pursuing and agreed they had an expectation that the club should be acting on sustainability.
"A similar number also said they supported the idea of having to make changes themselves in support of the club's sustainability ambition."
As part of the plan to engage supporters in the One Pack, One Planet work, Wolves have set up a fan focus group for environmental sustainability, similar to those that already existed in areas like ticketing and matchday experience.
"It [the focus group] gives fans who are interested and proactive on this subject an opportunity to directly shape the direction of travel for the club," Rawson added.
"It also gives them the chance to engage directly with those who are leading it in different areas of the club."
On 9 April, Wolves announced they would be offering supporters a free cycle ride to the club's final four Molineux fixtures - the latest initiative with Transport for West Midlands.
It is this kind of work that has been highlighted in their latest sustainability report, external, which Rawson believes shows "the real impact that the sustainability programme is delivering.
"Annual sustainability reports are a really good opportunity for us to reflect on the success of the programme and how much has been happening over the previous year.
"However, clearly that doesn't mean that we are stopping there. We know that there are a huge number of opportunities to continue to pursue."
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, WolvesSustainability in football remains a growing area, but it is one where Wolves want to be "leading the way".
In February 2023, the club launched their One Pack, One Planet sustainability programme - a project with four commitments in carbon, waste, nature and culture.
"The programme is embedded across the club," Wolves sustainability lead Thom Rawson told BBC Sport. "It's within every single department so everyone understands what their role is in delivering against those overarching sustainability ambitions.
"There has always been good sustainability activities at the club, but the opportunity was there with creating an overriding identity for the sustainability programme, which is what One Pack, One Planet is.
"Bringing all those activities together creates this common way of thinking about it and a common way of communicating about it with fans so that we can tell a holistic story of how the club is acting on it."
Tuesday, 22 April marks Earth Day - a day in the international calendar that provides the opportunity to reflect on progress and understand future opportunities to be more sustainable.
Earlier in 2025, two years after the project's launch, Wolves released a progress report, external. Among the highlights of the past 12 months were the reduction in carbon emissions from energy and fuel by 71%, launching a free bus travel scheme for season ticket-holders and the introduction of reusable cups at Molineux.
In January, the club also hosted their dedicated One Pack, One Planet focus fixtures for the men's and women's teams, providing an opportunity to introduce a new matchday recycling initiative and raise awareness of the programme and its sustainability work.
"Fundamentally, the club recognises that it has a responsibility, in terms of its platform, its importance within the local community and within the city of Wolverhampton," Rawson said. "That is the kind of platform that can have an impact nationally, and globally as well.
"It is the feeling of responsibility combined with wanting to lead and evolving best practice to be seen across the the football industry and to be positioned as a club that is leading and being proactive to do things in the right way."
Come back later on Tuesday to find out more about Wolves' sustainability drive
Dazzling Dave
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAs Wolves fans taunted Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford for being "just a rubbish Ruben Neves", it sparked a comparison in my mind between our current midfield duo of Joao Gomes and Andre and former club legends Neves and Joao Moutinho.
Gomes and Andre bring a burning energy and drive that unsettles opposing midfields. Their pressing, hunger and ability to play crisp, tight passes put pressure on opponents, almost taunting them to commit before breaking forward.
This "bait-and-spring" style often draws defenders out, forcing mistakes and letting Gomes surge through lines to launch Wolves on the attack. Off the ball, both players work tirelessly, creating triangles with team-mates and providing safe options while opening up space for quick switches or overloads.
Wolves fans will always treasure the era shaped by Neves and Moutinho. That pair brought technical excellence, elegance and intelligence to midfield, highlighted by Neves' long-range goals and Moutinho's calm control. And yet, when facing teams that sat deep, they sometimes found it difficult to break down packed defences or coax opponents out of their shape.
Gomes and Andre, on the other hand, thrive on chaos and relentless pressing. The Brazilian pair overwhelm opponents with their intensity and directness, turning games with quick transitions and aggressive ball-winning.
Vitor Pereira wants instant control after winning the ball, a key reason why Gomes and Andre are now vital. Their chemistry anchors the team, providing an invaluable foundation for building possession or launching counter-attacks.
It is hard to say whether Gomes and Andre are better than Neves and Moutinho - they are just different. While nostalgia will always surround the Portuguese duo, the new partnership deserves patience.
Given time, Gomes and Andre could become just as iconic in their own way.
What do you think? Would you rather have Andre and Gomes or Neves and Moutinho? Tell us why here
Find more from Dazzling Dave at Always Wolves, external
Manchester United are nearing an agreement with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, but they will still need to activate his £62.5m release clause. (Mail), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League win at Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Here are some of your comments:
Mike: Excellent result from a hard-working team performance. We have definitely played better this season and lost. The free-kick was worthy of winning any game. Vitor Pereira should be manager of the year for how he has transformed this team. Onwards and upwards.
Paul: Awesome display. Vitor Pereira is unreal, a top manager. Next season, Wolves will be top 10.
Simon: If only we'd bought Pereira in at the beginning of the season. We just seem to be able to find a way. The in-form team.
Ivan: Five wins on the bounce, but all have been against teams in the bottom half of the league. We still need a major overhaul in the summer to compete properly next season.
Michael: Not the best display under Vitor but it's the 3 points that matter. The progress we have made since he arrived has been nothing short of incredible and we looked a completely different team from the first half of the season. Highly likely that at least one of our players (Matheus Cunha) will be leaving in the summer, but with the right investment and backing the manager, I'm excited for what we could achieve next season.
John: Five on the bounce! Pereira is the man! First the points, then the pints! Wolves, ay we?
David: Not a great first half from Wolves. Contained United and restricted chances. In the second half, we were much better. Pressed more and won more second balls. The midfield was excellent in the later stages and it was a well deserved three points. Pablo Sarabia can change things when he comes on.
Richard: Shocking game. Very much an end of season affair. Great goal though. Incredible recent record for Wolves - best in the league I think?
Highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.
If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.
And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.
Listen back to Sunday's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Leeds United are lining up a £10m move for 32-year-old Wolves and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. (Sun), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves manager Vitor Pereira speaking to Sky Sports after their 1-0 win over Man Utd: "It was not our best match. Technically and tactically, we know that we can play better. We played with our souls, with our spirit and that is what I saw in the game. The supporters believed and the moment that we had a chance, we scored."
On Pablo Sarabia: "He works a lot on the free-kicks. I like him a lot as a player and a person because he has the character that I like.
"We have quality in the squad. The confidence was not in a high level when we arrived but we start to give them confidence and in the end the results help to build something. We are building something good for the future. We have to go into the next game and believe and with our supporters we can do it."
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves have completed a league double over Manchester United for the first time since the 1979-80 campaign.
Were you at the game or following elsewhere?
Have your say on Man Utd's performance
What did you make of Wolves' display?
Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies
Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.
Fulham v Chelsea
Ipswich v Arsenal
Manchester United v Wolves
Leicester v Liverpool (16:30 BST)
All kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated
Wolves have already beaten Manchester United once this season and, on current form, they are favourites this time too.
Vitor Pereira's side are flying with four straight wins, and we know how inconsistent United are.
I am going to give Bruno Fernandes a goal, because he has been one of the few United players who can hold their head up high with their performances this season, but at the moment Wolves look well-balanced, and they are the better team.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
