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Manchester United have the chance to put a poor week behind them on Boxing Day when they take on relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers as the Red Devils look to move up the Premier League.
United sit in 13th place heading into Boxing Day, the result of an inconsistent season that forced the club’s management to replace manager Erik ten Hag with Ruben Amorim. It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Amorim, who is dealing with problems that predate his arrival, but he won’t be the only new manager on the sidelines on Thursday. Wolves hired Vítor Pereira to replace Gary O’Neil last week, and he has already recorded his first win with a 3-0 victory over Leicester City, which could prove crucial for the 18th-place team as they try to to escape relegation.
Here’s what you need to know before you tune in.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday December 26 | Time: 12:30 PM ET
- Location: Molineux Stadium – Wolverhampton, England
- TV: US Network | Live stream: Fubo TV (try it for free)
- Chances: Wolverhampton Wanderers +270; Sign +260; Manchester United-105
Storylines
The Red Devils’ defensive problems from last season have subsided somewhat, with an average of 1.3 goals conceded per game this time around, after conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game last season. However, last week was not a good example of this, with seven goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth. Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to the Cherries included a goal from a set situation, which would see them set a new record for most goals conceded from those chances with 17 (and counting) by 2024. Amorim’s United have also since only scored a clean sheet once. he came on board last month and reflects the long-standing truth that a major squad overhaul needs to take place at Old Trafford.
However, United’s big problem this season is that their scoring rate has dropped, in addition to the rate at which they are conceding goals. They are averaging just 1.2 goals per game this season, compared to 1.5 last season, which is another signal that the team is not where it needs to be. The previously banned Alejandro Garnacho leads the team with eight goals in all competitions, while Marcus Rashford is likely on the mend after years of inconsistency at United but is still one of the top players this season with seven goals. There are several unreliable goalscorers at United, but some will have to rise to the challenge if the team is to compete properly in the race for the top four.
Projected arrangement
Man united: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia, Diallo, Fernandes, Zirkzee
Prediction
United’s poor form doesn’t mean they won’t be favorites on Thursday, given the caliber of their squad compared to Wolves. Expect a competitive match given the needs of the hosts, but one in which United come out on top. Choose: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0, Manchester United 2