Manchester United Regain Momentum as Fernandes Drives Victory Over Struggling Wolves

Manchester United returned to form in their pursuit of Champions League qualification with a convincing 4-1 victory over struggling Wolves on Monday night.

Ruben Amorim's team bounced back from last week's frustrating draw against bottom-tier West Ham, thanks to a brace from Bruno Fernandes along with strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount at Molineux Stadium.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde levelled the score after Fernandes's initial goal, marking Wolves' first strike in six matches across all competitions and their first in the Premier League since October 26.

However, after the break, goals from Mbeumo, Mount, and another from Fernandes secured just United's second triumph in their past six outings.

United had endured a humiliating 1-0 defeat at home to 10-man Everton on November 24, followed by jeers from fans after a 1-1 stalemate with West Ham at Old Trafford 10 days later.

As Amorim showed signs of frustration in recent times, it was crucial for the sixth-placed side to avoid any slip-up against league-bottom Wolves, bringing them within a single point of the top four spots.

Wolves' run of eight straight league losses now matches their poorest streak in the top division since the 1981-82 season, leaving manager Rob Edwards without a win since taking over from the dismissed Vitor Pereira in November after his move from Middlesbrough.

With only two points from 15 fixtures, Wolves risk matching Sheffield United's record of 17 games without a Premier League victory if they fail to beat either Arsenal or Brentford in their upcoming matches.

The dismal form also puts Derby's all-time low of 11 points in a season within reach for the beleaguered side.

Ideal Comeback

Diogo Dalot missed a golden chance to give United an early lead when he broke clear on goal, only for his weak effort to be easily saved by Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

A large group of frustrated Wolves supporters stayed away for the first 15 minutes in protest against owners Fosun and executive chairman Jeff Shi.

Upon returning, they witnessed their ex-striker Matheus Cunha's effort being blocked before United broke the deadlock in the 25th minute.

The goal typified Wolves' poor season, as Andre's errant pass back was picked off by Cunha, who then passed to Fernandes; the Portuguese playmaker slipped initially but regained composure to nudge a soft shot past Johnstone and over the line.

Amid a chorus of boos from discontented home fans, United pressed forward, with Cunha's attempt cleared off the line by Toti.

United's concentration lapsed momentarily, allowing Wolves to equalise in added time at the end of the first half.

Amorim's players struggled to deal with repeated crosses, and David Moller Wolfe's delivery was finished acrobatically by Bellegarde from 12 yards out.

United responded brilliantly in the 51st minute with a smooth attacking move that sliced through the Wolves backline; Mount's pass reached Dalot, whose selfless pass across goal let Mbeumo tap in at the far post.

Mount added his name to the scoresheet in the 62nd minute, arriving perfectly to volley Fernandes's delivery home from close range.

Fernandes's fourth goal of the campaign completed the dominance, converting an 82nd-minute penalty after Yerson Mosquera's handball offence.