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Bruno Fernandes was back to his best to guide Manchester United past a sorry Wolves and into the Premier League's top six. The United captain scored twice and got an assist in a 4-1 win at Molineux although it was not a trouble-free night for the Red Devils, who suffered the embarrassment of being the first team to concede a league goal to Wolves since October.

Wolves went into the game having lost their last eight matches in all competitions and without scoring a league goal in more than two months. They made things easy for United, which was just as well as the Red Devils did not exactly bring their A game. Diogo Dalot should have made more of a piece of quick-thinking by Fernandes which played him through on goal but he couldn't beat Sam Johnstone.

United did take the lead through more awful Wolves defending, as Casemiro capitalised on Andre's dilly-dallying on the ball to rob his countryman and send it to Matheus Cunha. The former Wolves forward bungled his pass to Fernandes, who then fell over but still managed to score past Johnstone.

United had a triple chance to double the lead which saw Bryan Mbeumo denied by Sam Johnstone, Cunha's follow-up shot blocked on the line by Toti Gomes and then Amad Diallo whistled the rebound wide. The visitors must have been kicking themselves as Bellegarde scored in the second minute of added time at the end of the half after United had failed to clear their lines. It was Wolves' first league goal since October 26, when they were beaten at home by Burnley.

United, for once, responded well to the setback and came out looking determined to put things right. They got their lead back in the 51st minute thanks to a quick breakaway move which led to Dalot passing for Mbeumo to slot into an unguarded net. They then went for the jugular as they had to and sealed the points. 

Mason Mount produced a smart volley to finish off a Fernandes pass and then the captain rounded off a pleasing evening for him by bagging a penalty after a handball, given by VAR, against Yerson Mosquera. 

GOAL rates Man United's players from Molineux…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Senne Lammens (6/10):

  Transmitted confidence, especially when dealing with crosses. Had few shots to make and blameless for the goal.

  Noussair Mazraoui (6/10):

  Brushed off a bruising challenge by Jhon Arias and delivered a composed display, calmly averting the danger on the rare occasions there was any.

  Ayden Heaven (5/10):

  Surprising to see him start after his poor game against West Ham. Looked very relaxed and nearly ran into trouble in the first half. Made a couple of good interventions, especially against Arias and Fer Lopez, but his lack of authority when Wolves scored showed he is not suitable to lead the three-man defence.

  Luke Shaw (7/10):

  Strong all-round display, even withstanding his casual play against Lopez and needing help from Heaven. His aggressive defending helped United play on the front foot. It was his tackle on Bellegarde which sparked the counter leading to Mbeumo's goal.

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  Midfield

  Amad Diallo (6/10):

  Didn't really get into the game. Fired wide after Cunha's shot was hacked away while in the second half he made a promising dribble then didn't know what to do next. 

  Casemiro (7/10):

  Put in a combative performance, harrying Andre to help create the opening goal. Protected the defence well around the area.

  Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

  Back to his dominant best after a poor display against West Ham, having his say in all four goals. Managed to score after slipping over; drove the team forward leading to the second goal; put in a peach of a cross for Mount and then calmly slotted in the penalty. 

  Diogo Dalot (7/10):

  An excellent display which showed he can help the team despite playing on his weaker left side. Should have done better with his chance but made amends with good wing play, teeing up a header for Cunha with the outside of his foot and then generously setting up Mbeumo to score.

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  Attack

  Bryan Mbeumo (7/10):

  Gave a typically energetic performance and took the rough with the smooth. Should have scored when Johnstone denied him but kept his head up and could hardly miss Dalot's gift after bursting forward. Booked for a foul on Arias after trying to compensate for losing the ball to him.

  Matheus Cunha (6/10):

  A rusty display against his old club. Got an assist despite bungling his pass to Bruno and should have done better with his attempt even with Gomes clearing it off the line. Couldn't get the ball out of his feet when it fell to him in the area although to his credit he set Dalot on his way when United restored their lead. 

  Mason Mount (7/10):

  Capped a fine display with a fine finish. Involved in United's best moves, demonstrating his footballing intelligence as well as his technique.

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  Subs & Manager

  Lisandro Martinez (6/10):

  Got the away crowd going with a couple of meaty challenges.

  Leny Yoro (6/10):

  Gave the team a bit more leadership in defence.

  Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):

  Played it simple to ensure United had no late panic.

  Patrick Dorgu (N/A):

  Replaced Dalot in the 84th minute.

  Joshua Zirkzee (N/A):

  Got six minutes plus added time but looked in no hurry to increase the damage on Wolves.

  Ruben Amorim (7/10):

  Watched his team mostly dominate and recover well from a setback, with the important caveat they were playing a historically awful Wolves side.

Manchester United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign an England midfielder for just £26m when the January transfer window arrives.

Man Utd seeking midfield reinforcements

In the summer, it was Ruben Amorim’s frontline that took the focus as INEOS welcomed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in an impressive window. Now, when 2026 arrives, it looks as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to turn his attention towards Man United’s midfield.

Those at Old Trafford were eyeing a move for Carlos Baleba at the end of the summer window, before Brighton & Hove Albion priced them out of a move. Months on, it seems as though the midfielder has fallen down Man United’s shortlist of targets, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson now taking centre-stage.

The 23-year-old is quickly becoming the most sought-after player in the Premier League, but he’s not the only option on United’s list of targets in the middle of the park.

They’ve also reportedly been told that they can now sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid at a bargain price in January. The former Chelsea man could be on his way back to the Premier League as he looks to earn his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Man Utd now offered bargain Conor Gallagher deal

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Man United have now been told that they can sign Gallagher for just €30m (£26m) when 2026 arrives. The England international has become surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid and he’s now ready to leave the club in pursuit of consistent game time.

Dubbed “intense” by Simeone, Gallagher could provide the legs in United’s midfield that Casemiro is otherwise unable to provide these days. The 25-year-old is a true midfield workhorse, who also has a knack for popping up with goals when needed.

Although United’s big target is Anderson, they’d be doing their top four prospects no harm by welcoming Gallagher in the January transfer window, especially at just £26m.

Man Utd eye move for £80m star who Man City would "love" to buy in January

The Red Devils could be in a direct fight with their Premier League rivals to land his signature.

BySean Markus Clifford Nov 29, 2025

Whether INEOS will be willing to act as early as the winter window remains to be seen, however. They may yet put all of their funds towards winning what is looking likely to be a hectic race for Anderson next summer.

INEOS can fund Elliot Anderson move by offloading Man Utd's "best player"

Joshua Kimmich has long been one of Europe’s most tactically gifted players, but the debate around his best position has followed him for nearly a decade. Now, German legend Philipp Lahm weighs in with clarity. From Bayern Munich’s shifting systems to Germany’s evolving identity, Lahm explains why Kimmich’s versatility is both a blessing and a burden, and where he truly belongs on the pitch.

• Lahm explains where Kimmich should really play

  At Bayern, Kimmich has spent the last few seasons orchestrating play as a No. 6, the heartbeat of midfield. For Germany, however, recent tournaments have seen him pushed back to right-back, a role he mastered earlier in his career.

  Lahm, the one player Kimmich is most often compared to, finally offered a clear and thoughtful answer. Reflecting on his own positional shifts during the 2014 World Cup, Lahm explained the unique circumstances behind his temporary move into midfield.

  “My situation was a little different because Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira were both returning from long-term injuries. So I initially played in midfield and then returned to the full-back position because it was better for the team,” said Lahm.

  Germany’s balance dictated Lahm’s role at the time. But with Kimmich, Lahm sees no such tactical necessity forcing him back into defence. Instead, he believes Kimmich is strongest where he can influence the game everywhere which is certainly the middle of the pitch.

  Speaking at his induction into the German Sports Hall of Fame, Lahm stated: “To be honest, I actually see him as number eight, with a number six next to him. That would be my optimal position for Joshua Kimmich.”

  He further dismissed concerns about Kimmich’s positional switches: “Of course, it helps a player if he plays in one position for a longer period of time, also for the safety of the team. But there are always exceptions, and Joshua Kimmich has proven that he can play both positions at a high level.”

  Kimmich’s evolution at Germany mirrors Lahm’s career arc, with leadership responsibilities growing each year. Now captain of the national team, he is steering a side in transition, a path Lahm once walked. Both crossed the 100-cap mark, both led their countries through identity shifts, and both became tactical cornerstones for club and country.

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  What connects Kimmich and Lahm

  Comparisons between Kimmich and Lahm are inevitable because of the similarities and the overlap in their careers. Lahm retired, Kimmich stepped in. Lahm mastered both full-back and midfield, Kimmich followed the same path.

  After Lahm’s retirement in 2017, the Bavarians needed a modern full-back who could also drift into midfield, Kimmich filled the void seamlessly. Over the years, as Bayern shifted toward a more possession-dominant style, he moved into midfield permanently and became the club’s main tempo-setter. This mirrored Lahm’s late-career shift under Pep Guardiola, who famously called Lahm “the most intelligent player I have ever coached.”

  The comparison also persists because Kimmich embodies Lahm’s traits with leadership, discipline, tactical discipline, and versatility. He has captained Germany, orchestrated Bayern’s midfield and continues to be the emotional engine of both teams.

  But Kimmich brings something different too, a more aggressive passing range, sharper deliveries and a directness Lahm rarely displayed. Their careers are intertwined, but their identities are distinct. Lahm recognises this, praising Kimmich’s adaptability while reminding critics that he is his own player.

• Bayern’s evolution: From Lahm’s era to Kimmich’s rise

  Lahm’s Bayern era was defined by control, precision and tactical perfection. He was the anchor of a team that won a treble and consistently dominated Europe. His reading of the game was so sharp that Guardiola shifted him from full-back to defensive midfield without hesitation and the transition was flawless. 

  Kimmich’s journey followed a different rhythm. Early scepticism about his size, physicality and defensive experience faded quickly as he became one of Europe’s top right-backs from 2016 to 2019. After mastering that role, Bayern’s changing systems moved him into midfield, where he powered the sextuple-winning 2019-20 season.   

  As Germany moved into a new era after the retirements of icons such as Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and later Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan, Kimmich stepped into a central role. His performances in Nations League campaigns, Euro qualifiers and friendly fixtures showcased his ability to dominate games with passing range, tactical reading, and relentless work rate. Kimmich’s influence grew further when he was appointed the captain of Germany, becoming the face of a country trying to rebuild its footballing identity after years of inconsistency.

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  Kimmich's chance to shine at the 2026 World Cup

  Kimmich’s positioning debate is not just tactical — it shapes the identity of both Bayern Munich and Germany. For Bayern, the question is whether he remains the heartbeat of midfield or shifts again depending on future managers. His ability to dictate tempo, orchestrate build-up, and deliver in big matches makes him irreplaceable.

  For Germany, the discussion is even more crucial. The national team is rebuilding after several disappointing tournaments, and Kimmich’s exact role will determine the stability of the midfield and the freedom of emerging attackers. The upcoming 2026 World Cup is a huge occasion for Kimmich to step up and bring the trophy to Munich like Lahm.