MANCHESTER: Wolves, with a new manager and without any new major signings, went remarkably close to spoiling the season-opening party for Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In the end new boss Gary O’Neil’s team went down 1-0 to a late headed goal from Raphael Varane with barely quarter of an hour remaining.

United manager Erik ten Hag will not have been impressed by his team’s failure to create more chances.

Wolves looked the more dangerous on the break. Matheus Cunha hit a post from close range and shot just wide in the first half while Pedro Neto fired straight at keeper Andre Onana in the second. Fabio Silva had two efforts saved by Onana in the closing stages.

The Premier League match was preceded by a noisy fans demonstration against the owning Glazer family as progress over a possible sale appears to have stalled.

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