PREMIER LEAGUE: Rashford plays the role of super-sub to deliver the points for Manchester United against Wolves

A place in the Premier League top four to end 2022 was up for grabs for Manchester United and all they had to do was find a way past a stubborn Wolves side.

Without necessarily controlling the game, Manchester United certainly had the better chances of an entertaining first half.

Casemiro saw his header deflected over the bar inside the first 10 minutes, while Nelson Semedo breathed a huge sigh of relief after his woeful pass allowed Alejandro Garnacho a huge opportunity, but Jose Sa was on hand to deny the 18-year-old.

Julen Lopetegui would have been pleased to see his men carry a threat on the counter, but David De Gea remained largely untested. 

The hosts best opening came as they turned the ball over in the attacking third, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to make a crucial block to deny Joao Moutinho what appeared a certain goal

United spurned a huge chance to snatch the lead in first-half stoppage time. Garnacho’s deflected cross dropped to Martial inside the six-yard box, but he failed to work the goalkeeper.

Chances were at a premium in the second half, with De Gea finally called into serious action to deny a Ruben Neves long-range free-kick. 

Marcus Rashford who was dropped from the starting XI for disciplinary reasons was introduced after the break to help carve Wolves open. 

The Red Devils had focused most of their attacks down the right through Antony, but it was down the left through Rashford that they finally made a breakthrough. After playing a quick one-two with Bruno Fernandes, Rashford showed tremendous strength to hold off several Wolves defenders before lashing his low strike into the back of the net.

Rashford scored again to give United a two-goal advantage but the goal was ruled out because it came off his hand before going in.

Just before the final whistle, De Gea was forced into a brilliant stop to deny Raul Jiménez from equalizing for Wolves.