Manchester United secured a 4–1 victory over the Premier League’s bottom side, but the result was accompanied by fresh concern after centre back Matthijs de Ligt failed to make the matchday squad.

Manager Ruben Amorim had initially been optimistic about the injury suffered by the Dutch international, but that optimism appears to have been tempered by De Ligt’s absence from the Wolves fixture. Amorim selected two natural full backs, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui, to operate in central defence alongside young Ayden Heaven. Lisandro Martínez, still getting back to full fitness, and Leny Yoro were named among the substitutes.

Asked for an update on De Ligt’s condition, Amorim refused to offer a timeline for a return. “I don’t know, sometimes you have an idea and then you have to see day by day,” Amorim conceded. “I am not going to say when he is coming back.” Those comments underline the uncertainty surrounding a player who was not available for selection on Monday.

United’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed briefly against Wolves, with the hosts — who have two points from 15 games this season — managing to score only their eighth goal of the campaign to level the match at 1–1 by half-time. It was not, however, an accurate reflection of United’s overall control of the game.

Amorim used his interval team talk to underline that point and praised his players for their reaction after the break. “I’m feeling good,” Amorim reflected. “I think we played well, most of the time. I think we disconnected a little bit after the first goal, that hurt us. But in the second half, everyone felt we were there to win the game and that was a good feeling.

“It’s really good that [fight in the second half], but we need to be concerned about how we concede a goal when we have full control of the game. We are so near to score a second goal to kill, a little bit, the game. But I’m pleased with the response after half-time.

“It was so clear we are dominating the games but not finishing the plays as we should do. We need to be better in the details. [I was] trying to explain to the players we have 45 minutes to win the three points that are crucial for our life.”

Manchester United produced a commanding 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday, a result that moves the visitors up to sixth in the Premier League table. Bruno Fernandes scored twice and was deeply involved in United’s attacking play, while Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount also found the net. Wolves’ goal came from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, the hosts’ first Premier League goal since October.

The match swung quickly. United took the lead when Matheus Cunha dispossessed André and set up Fernandes, who turned away from Emmanuel Agbadou to finish off an improvised move. Wolves responded in first-half stoppage time when a throw-in developed into a David Møller Wolfe delivery finished by Bellegarde.

United’s response after the interval was rapid. Luke Shaw won the ball inside his own half and United moved forward; Cunha played in behind to Diogo Dalot, whose cross found Mbeumo to restore the lead. Mount extended the advantage with a volley from a lofted through ball by Fernandes. The Portugal international completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after Yerson Mosquera was penalised for handball.

United finished the match with a clear statistical advantage: 60 percent possession, 14 total shots and five on target, compared with Wolves’ 40 percent possession and three shots. The visitors created the better chances and controlled large portions of the game as they took the three points back to Manchester.

Individual performances were notable. Fernandes was the standout with a 9.4 rating, Mbeumo earned an 8.5, and Matheus Cunha registered 8.0 for his contributions in the build-up. Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot both received 7.9, Casemiro 7.3 and Mason Mount 7.4. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was given 6.9. Among substitutes, Lisandro Martínez was rated 6.5, Leny Yoro 6.6 and Kobbie Mainoo 6.1; Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee were listed N/A.

The result leaves United level on points with fourth-place Chelsea ahead of their clash with Bournemouth at Old Trafford next Monday.

James Featherstone, the agent for Adam Wharton, has outlined a structured pathway for the midfielder as he targets a regular England place. Central to that plan is Champions League football, a requirement Featherstone says any potential suitor must be able to meet if they are to help Wharton reach the international level.

United have been repeatedly linked with Wharton as a priority midfield target. The player is described in scouting terms as an upright defensive midfielder who lacks the lashings of physicality favoured by Ruben Amorim but offers a penetrative passing range that could improve supply to a costly frontline that can at times lack service.

Wharton also carries experience of operating in a 3-4-2-1 system that Amorim favours on team sheets, even though Crystal Palace set up differently. What he does not possess is Champions League experience.

Wharton’s rise has been rapid. A Blackburn Rovers academy graduate, he had not played a top-flight game before the start of 2024. Palace signed him in February 2024 and by the end of that season he had been called into the England squad for Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate did not give Wharton a single minute during England’s run to the final, and the 21-year-old waited until November to make his competitive debut under Thomas Tuchel.

Featherstone made clear that international recognition is the priority and explained the steps. “When he was at Blackburn we sat down and spoke about shooting for the stars and playing for England,” Featherstone outlined on talkSPORT . “So how do you get there? Personally I think to play for England you have to play Champions League, to play in the Champions League you have got to play for one of the top teams in one of the top leagues.

“That jump to a Champions League team [straight from the Championship], I think you can get lost. The plan below that was to play for a Premier League team.”

Featherstone also urged patience. “We have got a plan,” he insisted. “He [Wharton] is 21. I have to check myself to remember that every now and then. It doesn’t have to be achieved yesterday, today or this moment.

“He has got his in-game, in-season targets and goals. He has got to do his bit and the rest will look after itself in a very structured, calm way to ultimately add value and maximise his ability.”

Featherstone’s criteria mean that any destination, including Manchester United, would have to qualify for the Champions League. Ahead of Monday’s clash with rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers, Amorim’s side sit 12th but remain only three points adrift of the top five, with fifth likely to be sufficient for qualification this year. Amorim is not getting ahead of himself.