by 12:19
Rio Ferdinand: If Shaw is starting over at Maguire, he should look for a new club
If I’m Harry Maguire, I’m looking for a new club right now.
It was flawless for England. It didn’t work out for him at Manchester United and this new manager has shown him that he’s not one of their top two or three centre-backs.
12:16
What a difference this man has made
Manchester United have lost a classy midfielder since Michael Carrick’s retirement and the arrival of Casemiro has stabilized the team. He was outstanding in the win over Nottingham Forest.
Some critics have suggested United should target a younger player to grow with the team over the next few years, and these concerns remain valid. But there is no doubt that Casemiro has improved United considerably in the short term.
12:06
A bold call from Ten Hag
12:04
Marcus Rashford withdrew for “internal disciplinary” reasons.
Erik ten Hag said it was a matter of “our rules”. You can read more reactions to that story here.
11:53am
Lopetegui’s pre-match thoughts
They have a fantastic team and every player they get to pick is a star. It doesn’t matter, all Manchester United players are great players.
We have to focus on the team and think about us trying to show our best in every match.
11:45am
Rio Ferdinand on the decision to exclude Rashford
In recent years, this locker room has needed that bit of toughness and discipline.
11:42
Break: Ten Hag says Rashford is on the bench due to “internal disciplinary” issue.
So it’s not a rotation issue, then. More details as we get them.
11:41am
Ten Hags on Pele
It’s a big loss for world football, but especially in Brazil, he was like a good guy. I talked about it with the Brazilians, they really said it.
11:40
Interesting call from Ten Hag
Marcus Rashford on the bench, with Garnacho starting on the left. Both players have been in excellent form and it is only natural that there is a slight rotation at this time of year. Without Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes looks liberated, but United could still do with another forward option coming from the January window.
Luke Shaw was excellent on the ball at centre-back against Nottingham Forest but a tougher test away from home. You would expect Costa to target him in the air.
11:33
Wolves team news: Nunes brought to midfield
Beginning XI: knows; Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno; Nunes, Neves, Moutinho; Hwang, Costa, Podence
subtitles: Ait Nouri, Boubacar Traore, Jimenez, Sarkic, Goncalo Guedes, Jonny, Gomes, Adama Traore, Hodge
11:31
Manchester United squad news: Garnacho starts; Shaw continues at center back
Beginning XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Eriksen, Casemiro; Antonio, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Martial
subtitles: Lindelof, Maguire, Rashford, Fred, Heaton, Williams, van de Beek, Elanga, Mainoo
11:23
The new wolf leader is in the building
Read more about how Julen Lopetegui set out to change things at Wolves in this piece by our Midlands man John Percy. The Spaniard lined up with a back four at Everton, I expect him to stay that way today.
11:11
Has Manchester United moved on?
Good morning and welcome to the final day of Premier League football in 2022, and Manchester United certainly have more cause for optimism than at the start of the year.
They have been relieved of the cultural and tactical scourge of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Glazer family are looking for a buyer for the club and the team is playing more consistent football under Erik ten Hag.
United have won three of their last four Premier League games and produced some attacking moves against Nottingham Forest in their first game after the World Cup. Casemiro is their first midfielder of stature and quality for years, and there is now balance in the forward line they now have a comfortable player on the right in Antony and Marcus Rashford who looks like his old self. They are firmly in contention for Champions League qualification through the league, which was the goal at the start of the season.
United have work to do before they can be fully trusted, and a lunchtime trip to Wolves is the sort of fixture that has seen them slip through in recent campaigns. This is new Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui’s first home game in charge after a last-gasp win against Everton lifted them off the bottom of the table.
Wolves have already moved to address their scoring woes by signing Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid on loan with a view to a £43m permanent deal in the summer. Lopetegui started with a back four at Goodison Park, which is a system Wolves have been trying to transition to for some time with limited success. After this game, Wolves face a tasty Midlands derby against Aston Villa which will pit Lopetegui and Emery – two former Sevilla managers – against each other.
Full team news coming soon.
