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Raphael Varane scored a late winner as Manchester United gained a vital win against Wolves at Old Trafford to get their 2023/24 Premier League season on a bright start.
Erik ten Hag’s side hardly created a chance of note until Bruno Fernandes found Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a superb pass inside the area.
Varane calmly lifted the bouncing ball to the edge of the six-yard box, where Varane used his height to get above Nelson Semedo and head home.
It was extremely harsh on Wolves, who made light of last week’s change of manager to produce a superb performance in Gary O’Neil’s first game in charge.
Matheus Cunha should have put them in front when Pablo Sarabia’s low cross found him unmarked just beyond the far post but despite steadying himself, the Brazilian hit the outside of a post.
Cunha fizzed a low shot wide just before the break and Pedro Neto fired straight at Andre Onana before Varane’s decisive effort.
Fabio Silva then had two goal-bound efforts saved by Onana, who was perhaps fortunate to avoid punishment for charging into Sasa Kalajdzic as he came for a cross without making contact with the ball.
O’Neil was booked for his protests as he claimed for a penalty as United clung on for a fortunate victory.
Wolves knocked on the door for an equaliser and Fabio Silva had a hat-trick of chances but was denied by Onana’s legs twice while Luke Shaw produced a goal-saving block to earn his side victory.
The visitors thought they should have had a penalty in the sixth minute of time when Onana went walkabouts, but Hooper and VAR denied them.