The Stretford End had witnessed enough. With barely 20 minutes remaining in Manchester United’s final fixture of 2025, “Attack, attack, attack,” rang out from the stands. The fans wanted more urgency from a side against potentially the Premier League’s worst ever team. They didn’t get it. Ruben Amorim’s answer was to look towards his substitutes – introducing Leny Yoro in place of Ayden Heaven. The fact that teenager Bendito Mantato was also brought on simultaneously didn’t prevent the home faithful from voicing their displeasure at yet another of those tactical switches they’ve grown to expect from Amorim.

Swapping one centre-half for another whilst pursuing a goal, with attacking youngsters Shea Lacey and Chido Obi still firmly planted on the bench, represents the sort of cautious substitution that is steadily undermining the confidence many supporters hold in Amorim. After switching to a back-four on Boxing Day, the choice to return to a three-man defence against opponents with just two points from 18 matches left plenty bewildered.

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It enabled Wolves to find their rhythm in the match. United had begun briskly on Boxing Day, but tackled the opening of this encounter as though weighed down by festive indulgence. It’s frequently the consequence of a defensive set-up and it appeared Amorim hadn’t absorbed the lesson.

Just a fortnight ago, Paul Scholes suggested that Amorim didn’t quite understand Manchester United. After tonight’s performance, one might think he has a point. Despite some improvement this season, the football can often be sluggish and lacklustre. Amorim may blame injuries, but critics will highlight the calibre of opposition.

Even their solitary goal was down to a hefty dose of luck. Exactly a year ago, Joshua Zirkzee was substituted just 33 minutes into an Old Trafford defeat against Newcastle, with the sarcastic applause that accompanied his departure potentially damaging for any player’s morale.

The Dutchman has shown resilience since then, but not the kind of quality that suggests a long-term future at the club. This time around, he managed to stay on the pitch for 45 minutes and even scored a goal, but it was the sort of evening that demonstrated why Amorim’s patience might be wearing thin.

His goal came from a mishit shot that ricocheted off Ladislav Krejci, but beyond that, it was another lackadaisical display that hinted he might be out of his depth in a team aiming for physicality and pace. From the outset, Amorim was critical of Zirkzee’s performance. He had urged for an improvement in Zirkzee’s duel approach prior to kick-off, but it fell on deaf ears.

The 24-year-old favoured fancy footwork and attempted to connect with Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, but shied away from the grittier aspects of the game.

The goal was largely due to a decisive challenge by Ayden Heaven, who snatched the ball from Hwang Hee-chan and charged towards the box. This was one of the few bright spots in United’s otherwise dismal first half.

Sesko managed to create an opportunity out of thin air and hit the post with a header from a corner, but Wolves were the superior team. Senne Lammens made a crucial save from Hugo Bueno, only to see Krejci’s corner header, inadvertently flicked on by Zirkzee, sail past him.

The match echoed the game at Molineux three weeks ago, where Wolves also levelled the score just before half-time. However, this time around, their equaliser at Old Trafford was well-deserved. The second-half onslaught that United unleashed in the Midlands was notably absent.

One could argue that Wolves have improved since their defeat, despite losing every game. They nearly gifted United a goal when Yerson Mosquera headed past his own goalkeeper, but Jose Sa managed to save the day with a last-minute claw at the line.

United required heroics from their own shot-stopper moments later, with Lammens producing a stunning save to deny Krejci before scrambling to his feet to keep the danger at bay. Diogo Dalot threw his body on the line to block Jhon Arias’s effort, diverting it out for a corner.

Despite plenty of effort, United’s attacking play lacked cutting edge. Time and again, they failed to commit sufficient numbers going forward.

They momentarily believed they’d snatched victory when Patrick Dorgu hammered home after Sa parried Sesko’s attempt, only for the goal to be ruled out for the narrowest of offsides. It perfectly encapsulated an evening of disappointment.

The final whistle was met with boos, and squandered points against Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth and Wolves in four of their last five fixtures at Old Trafford will come back to haunt them. The visiting supporters rejoiced with chants of “we’ve got a point”, which might well be the ultimate embarrassment for United.