Saturday 10/12/2011
Premier League
Manchester United bounce back from Champions League disappointment with comprehensive victory over Wolves.
After dropping out of Europe's premier competition United were looking to get back to winning ways at Old Trafford. As United had scored just once in each of their last seven league games, Sir Alex Ferguson opted for an attacking line-up with Danny Welbeck starting up front alongside Wayne Rooney. Antonio Valencia and Luis Nani selected on the wings.
The visitors started the brighter and Stephen Fletcher could have given them a first minute lead, but he flashed his strike from the edge of the area well wide. However United soon settled into the match and became increasingly dominant. Phil Jones and Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield were putting in a commanding performance not allowing Wolves any time on the ball.
Wayne Hennessey was called into action when Wayne Rooney fired in a shot from a tight angle as United went in search of the opening goal. It didn't take long for it to come when Luis Nani put the home side ahead. after he receiving the ball on the left, he managed cut inside to the edge of the area and unleash a powerful drive into the bottom corner to give United the advantage.
The reds didn't look like resting on their one goal lead and were looking to kill the game off early. And that they did when just before the half hour mark, Wayne Rooney scored his first Premier League goal since September's 3-1 win over Chelsea, firing past Hennessey in the same corner as Nani had moments earlier.
United went into the second half in completed control of the game. So it came as a shock when seconds after the restart Stephen Fletcher gave the visitors a lifeline, when he converted from the far post following a Matt Jarvis cross.
The goal galvanised Wolves who for the next ten minutes looked to get themselves on level terms. However their play was sloppy and in the 56th minute Nani killed the game off with his second of the game, poking home from close range following a superb Valencia cross.
United were now in complete control and added to their lead when Rooney picked up his second with a precision volley following another Valencia cross. Second half substitute Federico Macheda almost made it five late on but his clumsy close range effort was easily stopped by the Welsh number one.
United have now made it five wins from their last six, with particularly impressive performances from Nani, Rooney, Valencia and Carrick. The reds move to within two points of league leaders Manchester City, in pursuit of their 20th title.
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