Summary

  • Man Utd beat Wolves in opening game of 2023-24 Premier League season

  • Varane heads winner in second half after Wolves missed numerous opportunities

  • Wolves boss O'Neil angry when team controversially denied penalty in stoppage time

  1. Goodnightpublished at 22:56 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    That's the end of this live text now. Thanks for joining us tonight.

    No Premier League teams in action tomorrow - although you can follow the Women's World Cup, Champions League qualifying and Football League on this site tomorrow.

    I'll be back on Wednesday for the Uefa Super Cup between Manchester City and Sevilla.

  2. Postpublished at 22:56 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    Media caption,

    Man Utd 1-0 Wolves: Erik ten Hag reaction

  3. Postpublished at 22:52 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Wolves are without a win in nine Premier League away games (D2 L7) while they have lost each of their five, their longest top-flight losing streak on the road since a run of six between September and December 2011.

    Since the start of 2020-21, they have failed to score in 45 Premier League games, more than any other side.

  4. 'He just clatters him'published at 22:50 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Karen Carney
    Former England midfielder on Sky Sports

    I think he's [Gary O'Neil] right to feel aggrieved. Onana comes out committed, I think he takes his eye off it at the last minute, but he takes out the player.

    He just clatters him... it's a penalty, no?

    Onana flies into Kalajdzic in the box.Image source, Getty Images
  5. 'VAR checked it and said no'published at 22:48 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Manchester United

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we matched the runs, the clean sheet tells that. We played organised but now we have to be better on the ball.

    "We gave the ball away too easily. But we got a clean sheet and three points.

    "At half-time the message was to be more calm, composed, get more switches in. Get in between the lines more, which we did and caused problems. When they broke we had to match the runs [from the strikers], and you lose that control.

    "The creativity was not so good because we gave the ball away too easily.

    On Wolves' penalty appeal: "It is difficult. The keeper was brave to come out to meet the ball. The ball was touched before Andre [Onana] dived in, so he did not influence the touch [attempt] from the Wolves player.

    "The VAR checked it and said no penalty."

  6. Postpublished at 22:45 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Aaron Wan-Bissaka ended a run of 40 Premier League appearances for Manchester United with a goal involvement, since another assist against Liverpool in May 2021.

  7. Postpublished at 22:43 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    The Premier League has just told us that it was checked and cleared by VAR. It was not deemed a clear and obvious error so they stuck with the on-field decision.

  8. VAR confusionpublished at 22:41 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport at Old Trafford

    I would be genuinely interested to hear why that penalty was not given at the end.

    The VAR must have decided it was not a clear and obvious error but it was not a marginal foul in the middle of the pitch. It is a penalty decision in virtually the last minute.

    Maybe he thought Andre Onana played the ball. If he did, I didn't detect it.

  9. 'The keeper nearly took our forward's head off'published at 22:39 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Wolves

    Wolves boss Gary O'Neil speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought live it was a penalty. It looked like the keeper nearly took our forward's head off. I think it is a foul, you go for the ball and clatter the player that hard, it is a penalty.

    "I thought he was going over to the screen at first but unfortunately he booked me and not Onana.

    "I understand the rules [of sticking with the on field decisions as much as possible], but I don't fully accept it.

    "I have spoken to the officials about it already. It is a dfifcult decison for the on-field official, we can't just leave it. If we are all saying it then he need to have a look.

    "In the end we can't just focus on that decision. To come to Old Trafford and have the most shots of any side since 2005 and dominate after just four days of work is exceptional. The lads deserved more tonight."

  10. 'He was never getting there'published at 22:35 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Gary Neville
    Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports

    The reason I think it was a penalty was because Onana was nowhere near the ball.

    I think he was never getting there, he was always under it so he could've made a decision before he jumped...

    Onana flies into Kalajdzic.Image source, Getty Images
  11. 'We somehow found a way not to score'published at 22:34 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Wolves

    Wolves boss Gary O'Neil speaking to Sky Sports: "Yeah disappointed of course that we have to drive home with nothing. When I look what the lads gave and how hard they worked and stuck to the game plan, they were incredible.

    "We wanted some points and we dont leave with any."

    On causing issues for United: "We tried to overload the middle, create a box in there four versus three, lots of detail. Similar approach to what I have always done, while tweaking it with the players we have.

    "But it isn't all down to me, the players were great and executed it. We had some great chances but found a way somehow to not put the ball in the net."

  12. Postpublished at 22:32 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Manchester United’s Cameroonian Andre Onana became just the fifth African goalkeeper to appear in the Premier League - after Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe), Richard Kingson (Ghana), Carl Ikeme (Nigeria) and Edouard Mendy (Senegal).

  13. 'The best I have ever seen them play'published at 22:30 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Gary Neville
    Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports

    I think that is the best I have ever seen Wolves play.

    They were brave, they exploited Man United. They were excellent.

    Gary O'Neil will be devastated by the result, how they didn't take something from that game I won't know because they had the chances.

    Hwang runs past Sancho on the wing.Image source, Getty Images
  14. 'Onana is a very good player'published at 22:28 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Manchester United

    Manchester United matchwinner Raphael Varane to BBC Sport: "Very happy. It was a tough game against a very good team. It’s a good start to the season, three points, clean sheet."

    On Andre Onana: "It’s a good start for him. We need time to build that connection on the pitch which is normal. He’s a very good player so he’ll help the team this season.

    "The team spirit is already good but we want to improve. We want to be tough and hard to beat. We have to be connected on the pitch and aggressive. We did well. We can improve with the ball, more control, more calm."

    On why Lisandro Martinez came off at half-time: "A little problem on his ankle, tendon. We’ll see but I don’t think it’s a big deal. We’ll see how he is this week."

  15. 'We can play better'published at 22:26 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Manchester United

    Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to BBC Sport: "It can be better. We can play better. But we're very pleased with the win.

    "The opposition were dynamic. We have to match that. We had to fight for our points.

    "There is no easy game in the Premier League and definitely not Wolves. They're a tough team and we did really well. You have to fight in every gmae.

    "We hope we'll be better on the ball in the next game."

    On Andre Onana: "He had very good saves, was very calm, very good debut. After the opponent touched the ball he dived in so it was the judgement of the officials and lucky for us no penalty. I think you can debate it but I think no penalty."

    On Mason Mount: "Good performnace. He did what we expected him to do. He had a very good level in the game."

  16. 'Not perfect but we found a way to win'published at 22:24 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Manchester United

    Man United captain Bruno Fernandes speaking to Sky Sports:

    "It was important to start with a win and three points. We had a great fighting spirit, not the best performance but we had to find a way to win the game.

    "We scored the only goal in the game and that was the most important thing.

    On Wolves:

    "Wolves have quality, a good team. With their new manager they played differently, more like Bournemouth did last season. On the way to press we did well to recover some balls but could have done better.

    "They did many different things, the manager gave us options but on the pitch you need to find a way to figure out what the opponent is doing and adapt. They were really dangerous on the counter. For us it was not the perfect game but we got the win.

    On the goal:

    "Rapha [Varane] was there, we don't normally train with him in the box [in open play] but he was there and he scored. We were really happy for that.

    "Again, it was really important to start wth a win, it gives you confidence for the next one. Now it is about getting rest and training well for the next one."

  17. Postpublished at 22:19 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Wolves' tally of 23 shots tonight was the second most in a Premier League away game at Old Trafford in recorded history (since 2003-04).

    Only Chelsea (25) in November 2005 have attempted more in a Premier League game away against Manchester United. Chelsea also lost 1-0 that day.

    OptaImage source, Opta
  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:17 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    I feel so sorry for Gary O'Neil and his players. Completely bossed a woeful Man Utd all over the pitch and then deprived the most blatant of penalties.

    Barney

    I think it's safe to say Utd got away with that one .. But only Just. Very poor overall.

    Jeff

    Kris: VAR, yet again highlighting the incompetence of Premier League referees. It’s fair enough if a ref doesn’t catch the incident in the moment, but how you can make that poor of a decision with multiple replays is beyond me.

    Hendrix: is there anyone out there, anyone, who didn’t think that was a penalty? Literally anyone?

    Brighton Bard: That decision didn’t even need VAR! The ref was staring straight at the incident. Straight pen. Ref should be giving it.

  19. 'Upset is the word'published at 22:15 British Summer Time 14 August 2023

    FT: Man Utd 1-0 Wolves

    Wolverhampton Wanderers

    Wolves' Matheus Cunha to BBC Sport: "Upset is the word. We worked a lot. We need to keep improving. We mixed the new ideas and the old ideas. I'm a little upset with that result.

    "He [Gary O'Neil] has helped us a lot. It's hard to change the coach one week before the first game but football is like that.

    "I feel 100%. The Premier League is the best competition in the world. I feel more free to play here. Today we needed to score more.

    "It's a very hard decision. For me it's a penalty but you need to respect."