Raphael Varane scored his third goal for Manchester UnitedRaphael Varane scored the winner 14 minutes from time as Manchester United gained a fortunate win against Wolves in their opening game of the new Premier League season.
Erik ten Hag's side hardly created a chance of note until Bruno Fernandes found Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a superb pass inside the area.
The right-back calmly lifted the bouncing ball to the edge of the six-yard box, where Varane used his height to get above Nelson Semedo and head home.
It was extremely harsh on Wolves, who made light of last week's change of manager to produce a superb performance in Gary O'Neil's first game in charge.
O'Neil was booked for his protests in claiming for a late penalty as United clung on for a fortunate victory.
United's debutant goalkeeper Andre Onana avoided punishment in added time for charging into Sasa Kalajdzic as he clattered into the Wolves striker when he came for a cross without making contact with the ball.
Matheus Cunha should have given Wolves the lead before then as Pablo Sarabia's low cross found him unmarked just beyond the far post but despite steadying himself, the Brazilian hit the outside of the upright.
Cunha fizzed a low shot wide just before the break and Pedro Neto fired straight at Onana before Varane's decisive effort while Fabio Silva had two goal-bound efforts saved as Wolves pressed for an equaliser.
Sir Alex says United need Hojlund fit
In the build-up to the game US broadcaster NBC was given a pitchside interview with Sir Alex Ferguson.
The legendary United boss praised the work Ten Hag is doing and said the situation for his old club would improve markedly once £72m forward Rasmus Hojlund has recovered from the back injury he arrived from Atalanta with.
Not long afterwards, Hojlund took his seat alongside Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans at the back of the directors' box.
Sir Alex's words were given added credence when the game started as Marcus Rashford failed to make any impact as the main striker and Alejandro Garnacho and Antony were equally muted on the flanks.
Perhaps it should not have been a surprise given in 11 meetings over the past four years only twice have these two sides managed to produce more than a single goal between them.
Wolves fans will feel they should have been awarded a late penaltyUnited's other new outfield recruit Mason Mount also failed to make an impact and in a game where so much of their offensive play was average, Fernandes' inspired pass to create the goal stood out.
The Old Trafford crowd do have a new hero in Onana though. The Cameroon keeper produced a conservative performance with the ball at his feet and did not venture too far from his goal when the home side pressed forward.
However, the saves he made were important and the reception the former Ajax and Inter Milan man received from the stands indicated the home fans are very much on his side.
Defiant Wolves still cannot find the net
That O'Neil spent the immediate seconds after the final whistle still unable to comprehend that his side were denied a penalty and the Wolves fans bellowed their support for their new manager and his team said everything about how the visitors played.
O'Neil made a point of saying before the game that "clubs normally get six weeks" to prepare for their opening game. The former Bournemouth boss got four days.
What patterns of play and combinations he could have worked on in that time is debatable and his predecessor Julen Lopetegui must deserve some credit for delivering Wolves' players through their summer uncertainty to be able to perform as well as they did.
Cunha was outstanding in all aspects but one. His tracking back, runs from deep, and willingness to make space were all top class - but he is a striker and needs to score, and he wasted Wolves' best chance.
After Matheus Nunes' surging run forward, he took up exactly the correct position as Sarabia sent his low cross to the far post.
The angle was not ideal but Cunha opened his body up to give himself the best chance of converting - yet still missed.
Scoring goals has been a problem for Wolves for some time now and amid many issues at Molineux, it is a key one O'Neil needs to solve.
Dual Old Trafford protests
A new season has brought no resolution to two pressing off-field matters at Old Trafford.
The ownership situation, triggered by the launch of a 'strategic review' last November, remains unresolved.
And the future of Mason Greenwood - whose criminal charges were all dropped in the spring but which triggered an internal investigation into his conduct - is yet to be finalised.
Most outsiders expected there would be determination to resolve both matters by now and the absence of clarity brought protests surrounding both issues outside the stadium before the game.
The 'Glazers Out' chants transferred inside the ground and will not go away.
The banners around the Greenwood situation underline the position United find themselves in dealing with someone who legally done nothing wrong.
Player of the match
Matheus CunhaMatheus Cunha
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Squad number12Player nameMatheus Cunha
Squad number27Player nameMatheus Nunes
Squad number7Player namePedro Neto
Squad number5Player nameLemina
Squad number22Player nameNélson Semedo
Squad number11Player nameHwang Hee-chan
Squad number8Player nameJoão Gomes
Squad number15Player nameDawson
Squad number23Player nameKilman
Squad number3Player nameAït-Nouri
Squad number29Player nameFábio Silva
Squad number21Player nameSarabia
Squad number17Player nameBueno
Squad number18Player nameKalajdzic
Squad number1Player nameJosé Sá
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-1-4-1
24Onana
29Wan-Bissaka19Varane6Li Martínez23Shaw
18Casemiro
21Antony8Bruno Fernandes7Mount49Garnacho
10Rashford
24Onana29Wan-Bissaka19Varane6Li MartínezBooked at 17minsSubstituted forLindelöfat 45'minutes23ShawBooked at 45mins18Casemiro21AntonySubstituted forPellistriat 77'minutes8Bruno Fernandes7MountSubstituted forEriksenat 68'minutes49GarnachoSubstituted forSanchoat 68'minutes10RashfordSubstituted forMcTominayat 88'minutesSubstitutes
2Lindelöf5Maguire9Martial14Eriksen20Dalot25Sancho26Henderson28Pellistri39McTominayWolves
Formation 4-4-2
1Sá
22Nélson Semedo15Dawson23Kilman3Aït-Nouri
7Neto8João Gomes5Lemina27Nunes
21Sarabia12Matheus Cunha
1Sá22Nélson Semedo15Dawson23Kilman3Aït-NouriBooked at 35minsSubstituted forBuenoat 77'minutes7NetoBooked at 69mins8João GomesSubstituted forKalajdzicat 88'minutes5LeminaBooked at 27mins27Nunes21SarabiaSubstituted forHwang Hee-chanat 63'minutes12Matheus CunhaSubstituted forFábio Silvaat 77'minutesSubstitutes
2Doherty6Traoré11Hwang Hee-chan17Bueno18Kalajdzic24Gomes25Bentley29Fábio Silva32HodgeReferee:Simon HooperAttendance:73,358Live Text
Match ends, Manchester United 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Second Half ends, Manchester United 1, Wolverhampton Wanderers 0.
Facundo Pellistri (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Maximilian Kilman (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
André Onana (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Maximilian Kilman (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
VAR Decision: No Penalty Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Attempt missed. Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Hugo Bueno with a cross.
Attempt blocked. Hugo Bueno (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Mario Lemina (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Dawson.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Manchester United).
Attempt blocked. Mario Lemina (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Maximilian Kilman.
Corner, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Conceded by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Attempt blocked. Hwang Hee-Chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Fábio Silva.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Craig Dawson (Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Attempt blocked. Fábio Silva (Wolverhampton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sasa Kalajdzic.
Attempt saved. Maximilian Kilman (Wolverhampton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Matheus Nunes with a cross.
