Wolverhampton Wanderers can move ahead of Manchester United in the Premier League table if they win on Thursday at Molineux.
The hosts will seek payback against the Red Devils after a controversial 1-0 loss in the previous match at Old Trafford last August.
Match preview
Wolves extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. However, the game was disrupted by crowd trouble at The Hawthorns.
Pedro Neto’s first-half goal and a 78th-minute strike from Matheus Cunha were overshadowed by unsavory scenes in the stands which led to a lengthy suspension of play. The FA have pledged to investigate the violence that resulted in six arrests and injuries to fans and police officers.
Gary O’Neil condemned the off-field violence but praised Wolves’ on-field performance, as they aim to build on their strong form and climb from 11th place into the top half of the table.
Wolves, who have earned the second-most points (14) in the Premier League since December 5, will be eager to return to Molineux where they have not lost in their last eight Premier League home games, defeating Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea during this run.
However, Wolves have suffered defeat in six of their last seven top-flight encounters with Man United, losing each of their last three without scoring.
Two weeks after a 2-2 draw with Spurs in the Premier League, Man United secured a place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 4-2 away win over Newport County on Sunday.
Despite recent victories, Man United’s inconsistent form under Erik ten Hag has frustrated many fans. The club sits eighth in the Premier League and is striving for positive results to climb towards a European spot.
Man United, three points behind sixth-placed West Ham United, enter Thursday’s contest with Wolves having lost three of their last four Premier League away games, scoring just one goal in the process. However, they have won each of their last three visits to Molineux by an aggregate score of 4-1.
Team News
Wolves are without Hwang Hee-chan and Boubacar Traore, who are on international duty, and Joao Gomes, who is suspended.
Pablo Sarabia is a doubt with a calf injury, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is available for selection after Algeria’s early exit from AFCON.
Man United will make a late decision on whether to include Rashford in the squad, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also doubtful. Several players remain unavailable for selection due to injuries or international duty.
Possible lineups
Wolverhampton Wanderers: (3-4-2-1)
Sa;
Kilman, Dawson, Toti;
Semedo, Lemina, Doyle, Doherty;
Bellegarde, Neto;
Cunha
Manchester United: (4-2-3-1)
Onana;
Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw;
Mainoo, Casemiro;
Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho;
Hojlund
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Manchester United
Thirteen of the last 14 meetings between the two teams have either ended as draws or been decided by a one-goal margin, and another close contest could be on the cards on Thursday.
Wolves have performed well in big games this season and boast a strong home record, while Man United have a history of grinding out positive results against Wolves. A draw seems likely in their latest encounter at Molineux.