A 2-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday marked Manchester United’s fourth loss in their previous five Premier League games, and captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off as his team lost.
Two minutes after the break, Fernandes was given a second yellow card, and United’s misery was exacerbated when Matheus Cunha scored directly from a corner while Boxing Day fog was roiling at Molineux.
Andre Onana, the United goalkeeper, had a humiliating moment that encapsulated the team’s present woes as they finish in the bottom half of the table.
It was a happy first home game for new manager Vitor Pereira, who started his reign with an away victory at Leicester City.
Wolves held on through a nerve-wracking eight extra minutes against the ten men, and Hwang Hee-chan made sure with almost the final kick following a counterattack.
Ruben Amorim’s United finished the day in 14th place with 22 points, while Wolves’ victory moved them out of the bottom three and into 17th place with 15 points from 18 games.
