Wolves vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as VAR denies Marcus Rashford a second

Manchester United can move into the top four with a victory over Wolves this afternoon as Erik ten Hag’s men are only one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who face Aston Villa on Sunday. Meanwhile, three points for Wolves today would be a huge boost to their hopes of avoiding relegation and would take them out of the drop zone.

The Red Devils restarted their Premier League campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest as Marcus Rashford continued his hot streak of form and Anthony Martial also got on the scoresheet. Ten Hag’s team look pacey and determined but in the past, they have followed up great wins with shaky performances and will hope to avoid doing so again today.

Wolves come into the match sitting 18th in the table but only one point behind Everton and West Ham and just three behind 14th placed Bournemouth. They can easily shoot up the table with a string of good results and will be confident of challenging Man Utd following Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 95th minute winner against Everton last time out.

Follow all the action from Molineux as Wolves take on Manchester United:

Wolves vs Manchester United

• 76’ GOAL! - Rashford opens the scoring after coming off the bench (WOL 0-1 MUN)

• 57’ SAVE! - De Gea tips Neves’ free kick wide of the post (WOL 0-0 MUN)

• 45+1! - CHANCE! - Antony’s header is kept out by Sa (WOL 0-0 MUN)

• 16’ SAVE! - Sa denies Garnacho from close range (WOL 0-0 MUN)

• 6’ CHANCE! - Casemiro’s headed effort deflected over (WOL 0-0 MUN)

• Marcus Rashford dropped by Erik ten Hag for ‘disciplinary’ reasons

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 0 - 1 Manchester United FC

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

14:20 , Michael Jones

90+2 mins: Wolves are pressuring United now. They’re the team most likely to score with Erik ten Hag’s men looking to hold onto this lead.

Harry Maguire and Anthony Elanga come on for the final few minutes as Wolves win a corner. Bruno Fernandes and Antony are the men taken off.

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

14:19 , Michael Jones

90 mins: There’s only going to be five minutes of stoppage time added on but it could easily have been double that. Traore loses the ball on the edge of United’s box but Van de Beek gives it straight back to the host with a poor through ball for Marcus Rashford.

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

14:17 , Michael Jones

88 mins: Traore tries to get Wolves up the pitch and brings the ball down the right wing. He looks for a one-two with Jimenez but the return ball isn’t on and Malacia intercepts before clearing the danger for Manchester United.

NO GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

14:14 , Michael Jones

85 mins: A fairly simple decision for VAR this time. The rebound hit Marcus Rashford on the hand before bouncing into the back of the net so the goal gets chalked off!

GOAL! Wolves 0-2 Man Utd (Rashford, 84’)⚽️

14:13 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Rashford has another one! He makes a fine run into the box as the ball gets slipped through to him. Rashford drills one low at Jose Sa who gets an initial block in.

The ball rebounds back at Rashford, hits him and bounces over the line. VAR is checking it though...

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

14:11 , Michael Jones

82 mins: Casemiro wins the ball back in the middle of the pitch but takes out Nunes in the process. The referee plays on and the Wolves fans are going mad that the challenge wasn’t given as a foul.

Wolves 0-1 Man Utd

14:09 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Raul Jimenez comes on for the final 10 minutes or so replacing Daniel Podence for Wolves. Can the striker get Wolves back on level terms?

Anthony Martial is taken off with Donny van de Beek brought on for Man Utd.

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Man Utd (Rashford, 76’)⚽️

14:05 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Marcus Rashford again! The in-form forward for Manchester United sends them in front through a fine move from the left.

Tyrell Malacia sends the ball up to Rashford who runs at the Wolves defence and goes past two defenders before giving the ball to Bruno Fernandes and continuing his run into the penalty are.

Fernandes returns the ball to Rashford who shrugs off Jonny before whipping a shot into the back of the net!

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

14:04 , Michael Jones

75 mins: Manchester United are trying to run the ball into the box but there is no space to run into. Wolves now have three centre-backs on the pitch so they’re covered for cross into the middle as well.

It’s going to take a bit of ingenuity to breakdown this Wolves team.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

14:01 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Rayan Ait-Nouri and Toti are introduced for Wolves replacing Joao Moutinho and Hugo Bueno. Matheus Nunes will play one for now.

Fred hacks down an enterprising Nathan Collins and Wolves win another free kick in a dangerous area. Ruben Neves sets himself to take on David De Gea again but this time drills his shot into the wall.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:59 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Matheus Nunes seems to have injured his knee and is hobbling off the pitch following poor tackle in the middle of the pitch.

There’s going to be a few minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of this one.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:56 , Michael Jones

66 mins: Hwang Hee-Chan hits Fred with a firm challenge but wins the ball and leaves the Man Utd midfielder in a heap on the floor. Bruno Fernandes switches the play and sends the ball over to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

He gives it to Antony who flicks the ball to Casemiro. With few options available Casemiro has a dart with a volley from outside the box but fires the effort wide of the far post.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:51 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Erik ten Hag makes another change and introduces Fred to replace Christian Eriksen. The Dane hasn’t had the space to fully utilise his talents this afternoon and Fred provides a more direct option for Manchester United.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:49 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Casemiro dinks a chipped pass into the penalty area for Bruno Fernandes who makes a run in behind. He brings the ball under control then fizzes one wide of the target.

The offside flag goes up and Fernandes breathes a sigh of relief after missing the chance.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:46 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Casemiro finally gets booked but it was a necessary card for the Manchester United midfielder. Daniel Podence threatens to break through the lines and the Brazilian hack him down from behind.

Save! The resultant free kick is a long way out but Ruben Neves strikes it brilliantly and forces a leaping save out of David De Gea who has to tip the ball wide of the right-hand post!

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:44 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Free kick to Man Utd! Bruno Fernandes and Joao Moutinho - teammates for Portugal - both try to win a 50/50 ball but Moutinho arrives late and clips the Man Utd midfielder.

The set piece is within shooting range but Fernandes gets it all wrong and hooks his shot high and wide!

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:42 , Michael Jones

51 mins: There were a few worrying minutes of Wolves as Daniel Podence stayed down following a tackle. He was receiving treatment for about three minutes but looks okay to play on.

United have started the second half stronger though. Eriksen drives a cross into the penalty area and finds Martial who lays the ball to Fernandes allowing his captain to shoot.

Fernandes’ shot is blocked but Antony almost gets to the loose ball yet Sa beats him there and grabs hold of it.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:37 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Rashford gets involved straight away and carries the ball down the right side after Man Utd clear a Wolves set piece. He dribbles past two defenders before getting caught and losing possession.

Wolves work the ball quickly over to Traore on the opposite wing who goes on a brilliant run of his own but is let down by the final pass.

Second half: Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:34 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Erik ten Hag doesn’t waste any time in introducing Marcus Rashford to proceedings. He replaces Alejandro Garnacho at the break.

Julen Lopetegui also makes a change with Adama Traore coming on to replace Diego Costa for Wolves.

The home side get the match back underway.

Erik ten Hag hunting cut-price solution to Manchester United’s striker hole

13:27 , Michael Jones

Erik ten Hag has vowed to get creative in his bid to find Manchester United a striker for a cut-price fee in the January transfer window.

United’s funds are limited as they look for a replacement for the departed Cristiano Ronaldo after they spent over £200 million in the summer.

They missed out on PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, a player Ten Hag liked, after Liverpool were able to meet the £35 million asking price for the Netherlands international, and United will consider loan signings in their attempt to bolster their attack.

Erik ten Hag hunting cut-price solution to Manchester United’s striker hole

HT Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:23 , Michael Jones

There were some bright signs from both teams in that half but they head into the break on level terms. How long will it be before changes are made?

Will Erik ten Hag call for Marcus Rashford in the second half?

Half-time: Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:19 , Michael Jones

45+1 mins: Chance! Alejandro Garnacho is a blaze of feet and fury as he weaves and twists his way into the left side of the box before chipping the ball over to Anthony Martial.

Martial misses it but the ball bounces through to Antony who should score. He miscues his headed effort and softly turns the ball towards goal which allows Jose Sa enough time to get over ans smother it!

Massive moment right at the end of the first half.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:17 , Michael Jones

44 mins: There’s going to be one minute of added time to play in the first half. Both teams look happy to head into the break on level terms.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:13 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Wolves have impressed today. They don’t seem to fear Man Utd and have belief that they can cause a few problems. Nelson Semedo brings the ball down the right side before laying one off to Ruben Neves.

Neves lifts the ball into the box towards Diego Costa but he’s sandwiched in between Raphael Varane and Casemiro and the Red Devils coming away with the ball.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:11 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Ruben Neves is left a little worse for wear after being clattered by Casemiro’s shoulder in the middle of the pitch. The Wolves fans are in uproar over the challenge but the referee keeps his cards in his pockets.

I don’t think Casemiro will get away with another heavy tackle.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:08 , Michael Jones

35 mins: Nearly! A lovely ball from Ruben Neves gets Wolves up the pitch as Diego Costa brings the ball under control. He decides not to attempt to get past Aaron Wan-Bissaka and lays the ball across to Daniel Podence.

Podence lifts a high cross to the back post where Hwang Hee-Chan arrives and volleys an effort at goal but Casemiro is back in time to make the block.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:04 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Wolves send a ball into the United box and there’s a clash of heads between Matheus Nunes and Tyrell Malacia as both men look to win possession.

The Man Utd physios are a bit premature in coming onto the pitch as Malacia is back on his feet quickly but they decide to give him a check up anyway which irks the Wolves supporters in attendance.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

13:02 , Michael Jones

29 mins: Man Utd switch the ball over to Antony on the right and he plays it forward to match Fernandes’ cutting run.

Fernandes then curls a low pass into the box towards Anthony Martial but Nathan Collins lunges at the ball and knocks it away from the striker before he can shoot!

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:57 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Great defending! Daniel Podence receives the ball on the edge of the United penalty area and slips a through ball into the box for Diego Costa.

Costa lays it off to Joao Moutinho who looks to turn it towards goal only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to come lunging in to make a brilliant block.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:55 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Close! Antony and Wan-Bissaka seem to have a good understanding with each other. They combine again to bring the ball down the right before Antony charges into the box.

He gets a shot away and a deflection off Ruben Neves almost does for Jose Sa who has to stop his move and leap back in the opposite direction to keep the ball out.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:53 , Michael Jones

20 mins: Manchester United are looking to take control of proceedings. They’re bossing the ball and playing at a nice tempo.

Christian Eriksen switches the play out to Antony on the right but both he and Aaron Wan-Bissaka run into trouble and are forced to retreat.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:49 , Michael Jones

16 mins: Save! Manchester United should be in front!

Christian Eriksen threads a pass through the lines towards Alejandro Garnacho but Nelson Semedo intercepts. He then attempts to knock the ball back to Jose Sa but underhits the pass allowing Garnacho to get to the loose ball first.

He shoots but Sa is out quickly to close him down and makes a sharp save with his body.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:46 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Wolves are seeing a lot of space out wide but Manchester United are compact and working hard to get back into their defensive shape when they lose possession.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:43 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Aaron Wan-Bissaka is drawn inside by the run of Hwang Hee-Chan which allows Hugo Bueno to get forward on the overlap down the Wolves left wing. He looks to cross one into the middle but Raphael Varane is well placed to turn the ball behind.

Manchester United then defend the resultant corner without too much trouble.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:39 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Manchester United are moving the ball slickly. One and two touch passes combined with runs into space sees them maintain the pressure on the edge of the Wolves box.

Anthony Martial is given the ball and flicks one into the penalty area for Bruno Fernandes but he’s blocked off by Max Kilman and the ball skips through to Jose Sa.

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:37 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Chance! Manchester United win the first corner of the game and Christian Eriksen whips a fine ball into the box as Casemiro makes a run towards the near post.

He meets it with a decent header but the effort strikes Matheus Nunes who deflects it over the crossbar!

Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:34 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Nelson Semedo bombs forward on the right wing and gets past Alejandro Garnacho before running into Tyrell Malacia. Garnacho grabs his shirt and tugs back to the Wolves defender resulting in a free kick for the hosts.

Joao Moutinho swings the set piece into the box but sends it over everyone and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.

Kick off: Wolves 0-0 Man Utd

12:32 , Michael Jones

Dressed in their white kit, Manchester United get the match underway at Molinuex. They work the ball around the back line before looking to pick out Antony on the right wing but the ball rolls out of play for a Wolves throw in.

Wolves vs Man Utd

12:28 , Michael Jones

Here come the players.

Bruno Fernandes warmly shakes the hands of his Portugal team mates Jose Sa and Ruben Neves as the two teams line-up in the tunnel.

Man Utd will move ahead of Tottenham into fourth place if they win this afternoon which will by a great end to the year for Erik ten Hag’s men.

Wolves are hoping to pick up three points today in order to get out of the relegation zone.

Martial back in form

12:26 , Michael Jones

Anthony Martial has been directly involved in five goals in his last six Premier League appearances for Manchester United (scoring three and assisting two), one more than in his previous 21 games under Ralf Rangnick, Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Will Man Utd end the year on a high?

12:23 , Michael Jones

Manchester United have conceded 39 Premier League away goals in 2022, a joint-league high alongside Brentford but the Red Devils are the only team to have won every Premier League match in which they have led this season (nine wins out of nine).

They have not lost their final league game in any of the last 10 calendar years (won seven, drawn three). Their last such loss, a 3-2 defeat at Blackburn in 2011, was also their only Premier League defeat on New Year’s Eve.

It’s a wonderful time of year for Wolves

12:19 , Michael Jones

Since their return to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves have scored eight 90th-minute winning goals in the competition, including one against Everton last time out. Only Liverpool (10) and Tottenham (nine) have netted more in this period.

Wolves have lost just one of their last nine league games played on New Year’s Eve (four wins, four draws), though it was in their last such match, at home to QPR in 2016.

Erik ten Hag hunting cut-price solution to Manchester United’s striker hole

12:15 , Michael Jones

Erik ten Hag has vowed to get creative in his bid to find Manchester United a striker for a cut-price fee in the January transfer window.

United’s funds are limited as they look for a replacement for the departed Cristiano Ronaldo after they spent over £200 million in the summer.

They missed out on PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, a player Ten Hag liked, after Liverpool were able to meet the £35 million asking price for the Netherlands international, and United will consider loan signings in their attempt to bolster their attack.

Erik ten Hag hunting cut-price solution to Manchester United’s striker hole

Rashford dropped for disciplinary reasons

12:11 , Michael Jones

Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, spoke about why Marcus Rashford is starting on the bench today and in his pre-match press duties said that Rashford is not in today’s starting XI because of “internal disciplinary” reasons.

Fernandes expecting difficult game

12:07 , Michael Jones

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes says that he is expecting a difficult game at Molineux today as the Wolves players look to impress their new manager.

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of kick off, Fernandes said: “I think there’s been big improvement from all of us since the beginning of the season. Obviously the first two games were really tough but since then, we’ve been much better.

“Obviously it is always tough to play against Wolves and having a new manager is something that will make them push a bit more. Everyone will want to show themselves to the new manager and it is always difficult.

“We had that against Aston Villa so we know the experience of that. We know the way Wolves can hurt us, but at the same time we understand that, with our qualities, we can learn from the past and improve.”

An unwanted record

12:03 , Michael Jones

Wolves can become the first club to reach double figures in Premier League home defeats in consecutive years, having lost 10 times in 2021.

United wish Fergie Happy Birthday

11:59 , Michael Jones

Today is Sir Alex Ferguson’s birthday and the Manchester United legend turns 81. The club sent their former boss well wishes and no doubt he will love to celebrate with a United victory.

A great start for Lopetegui

11:55 , Michael Jones

Julen Lopetegui is the first Wolves manager to win his opening top-flight game since John Barnwell in November 1978.

He could become only the third manager to win his first two top-flight fixtures in charge of the club after Andy Beattie in 1964 and Sammy Chung in 1977.

Lopetegui was Sevilla manager when they won the 2020 Europa League, beating Manchester United 2-1 in the semi-finals.

Julen Lopetegui hopes Wolves hunt down more deals in January transfer window

11:51 , Michael Jones

Julen Lopetegui is ready to boost Wolves’ survival hopes by raiding the January sales.

The former Spain manager is hunting more recruits next month after already adding Matheus Cunha.

The striker has joined on loan from Atletico Madrid with an obligation to buy for £44million but is unavailable to face Manchester United on Saturday as he waits for the window to officially open on Sunday.

Wolves are 18th in the Premier League, a point from safety, and Lopetegui is hopeful of more reinforcements.

Julen Lopetegui hopes Wolves hunt down more deals in January transfer window

United in good form on the road

11:47 , Michael Jones

Manchester United can win five consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2021.

They have won four of their last seven Premier League away games (with one draw and two defeats), scoring in each match. The Red Devils had lost the previous seven fixtures in a row on the road.

Erik ten Hag believes World Cup win will strengthen Lisandro Martinez

11:43 , Michael Jones

Erik ten Hag believes Lisandro Martinez can become an even better defender for Manchester United after helping Argentina to World Cup glory.

The summer signing from Ajax returned to training on Wednesday and could come into contention for Saturday’s trip to Wolves after enjoying the celebrations back in his homeland.

With a World Cup winners’ medal now in his pocket, Ten Hag expects to see an extra spring in Martinez’s step.

Erik ten Hag believes World Cup win will strengthen Lisandro Martinez

Can Wolves win again?

11:39 , Michael Jones

Wolves are looking to secure consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since March, a sequence which also included an away win against Everton.

However, they have lost their last three home league games by an aggregate score of 9-2.

They begin this game 18th in the Premier League table. Their three league victories so far in this campaign were against the teams currently 17th, 19th and 20th in the table (prior to the latest round of fixtures).

Wolves vs Man Utd team changes

11:34 , Michael Jones

Julen Lopetegui makes one change to the Wolves team that snuck past Everton last time out. Matheus Nunes replaces Joe Hodge.

There’s a big surprise in the Manchester United starting XI as Marcus Rashford drops to the bench to make way for Alejandro Garnacho in Erik ten Hag’s only change from the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

Wolves vs Man Utd line-ups

11:32 , Michael Jones

Wolves XI: Sá; Nélson Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno; Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, Moutinho; Hwang, Diego Costa, Podence

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Martial

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on two-year deal

11:27 , Michael Jones

Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has officially signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

The 37-year-old was a free agent after he was released from his Old Trafford contract in November and has signed a two-and-a-half year deal reportedly worth $75m per season. Ronaldo left Manchester United after giving a series of interviews criticising the club, where he had lost his place in the team under Erik ten Hag.

Al Nassr, who are nine-time winners of the Saudi Pro League, announced the deal as “history in the making”.

Ronaldo said: “I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring.”

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr on two-year deal

Wolves vs Man Utd

11:24 , Michael Jones

Wolves won their most recent Premier League meeting with Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in January. They last won consecutive league games against them between September 1979 and August 1980.

But, ManUtd could win on three consecutive league visits to Molineux for the first time. The Red Devils scored nine goals across two Premier League encounters in 2011/12 but they have netted just nine in total in the 11 matches between the sides since.

Man Utd’s future may finally have arrived as old faces get new chance in attack

11:20 , Michael Jones

Manchester United’s future may lie in their forward line’s past. They have long thought as much. It is just that they had picked the wrong part of their past. There was the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer nostalgia project and the attempt to turn back time with Cristiano Ronaldo. Suffice to say that neither ended well. But, in the post-Ronaldo era, their attack is now based around two men who debuted five managers ago under Louis van Gaal.

At 25 and 27, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are young to be described as part of United’s history. If some had their way after last season was the poorest of each’s career, they could have been consigned to the ranks of the Old Trafford old boys. Instead, Erik ten Hag has instead made each central; literally in the case of Martial who, while injuries had restricted his appearances, had seemed his first-choice striker since the summer, and figuratively for Rashford, who now feels the dominant figure in the attack.

Each scored in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. It will take more than a home victory over relegation candidates to anoint them a double act who will remain automatic choices for years; not when Martial’s frame can be fragile, when Ten Hag wants another forward, when United are bound to enter into a footballing arms race for an attacker at some stage.

Man Utd’s future may finally have arrived as old faces get new chance in attack

Wolves vs Man Utd prediction

11:16 , Michael Jones

Wolves will be confident after snatching victory at Goodison Park in midweek but the Red Devils are also riding high after a big win over Nottingham Forest and that added cutting edge in attack, thanks to a rejuvenated Marcus Rashford, should be enough to edge this one.

Wolves 1-2 Manchester United.

How to watch Wolves vs Man Utd

11:12 , Michael Jones

The match kicks off tonight, Saturday 31st December, at 12:30pm GMT.

Wolves vs Man Utd will be shown live on UK TV through BT Sport 1 and Ultimate. Coverage begins from 11:30am GMT. Customers can stream the game live online via the BT Sport app and website.

Wolves vs Man Utd predicted line-ups

11:08 , Michael Jones

Wolves XI: Sa; Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Ait-Nouri; Nunes, Neves, Moutinho; Hwang, Costa, Guedes

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Martial, Rashford

What is the early team news?

11:04 , Michael Jones

Chiquinho, Pedro Neto and Sasa Kalajdzic remain sidelined through injury, but Wolves could receive a boost with the return of Boubacar Toure and Jonny Castro.

Daniel Podence is a doubt with a leg problem picked up against Everton, with Goncalo Guedes poised to deputise if he cannot start.

Erik ten Hag has doubts over Victor Lindelof and Scott McTominay due to illness, while Diogo Dalot is dealing with a hamstring issue and both Axel Tuanzebe and Jadon Sancho continue to work back from injury.

Harry Maguire overcame illness to come on as a substitute for Raphael Varane against Forest and could now contend for a starting berth, with the England defender or the returning Lisandro Martinez linking up with the French centre-back, despite Luke Shaw impressing in relief midweek.

Wolves vs Man Utd

11:00 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of New Year’s Eve Premier League football. In the early kick Wolves play host to Manchester United with both sides hunting down victories for vastly different reasons.

The hosts hope to use the confidence built up from their 2-1 victory over Everton to shock Man Utd this afternoon and move themselves out of the relegation zone whilst Erik ten Hag’s men will jump ahead of Tottenham if they are victorious at Molineux.

Later on the Premier League leaders, Arsenal, are in action as they travel to Brighton in what should be a tough test for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

We’ll have all the action, build-up and team news right here so stick around. Kick off for the early match is at 12.30pm and the line-ups will be out soon.