Bruno Fernandes starts as Man United suffer goalless draw against Wolves
Manchester United new-boy Bruno Fernandes was in action as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side struggled to a goalless draw against Wolves at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Fernandes, who arrived from Sporting CP on Thursday in a deal that could be worth €80 million, started in the 0-0 draw and had a quiet game, although the midfielder did test the Wolves goal on a few occasions.
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United's winless streak in the league has extended to three games, with the side not managing a win since beating bottom-of-the-table Norwich in January.
Wolves winger Adama Traore should have hit the target midway through a quiet first half following a well-worked move, but he dragged his shot wide.
Fernandes fired a powerful shot at the goal from the edge of the box on 40 minutes, in what was perhaps United's best chance of the first half, but he could only manage to find goalkeeper Rui Patricio's gloves.
"Bruno is a top player," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. "It's the first game. First half everyone was getting the ball into feet and Bruno is one of those who, when he gets into feet, he wants players moving in front of him and we didn't [do that]. He'll be a top addition."
Fernandes went closer again with a free kick shortly before the hour mark, forcing an uncomfortable save from Patricio.
"It was a game as you expected really. We dominated the game, had loads of possession, they gave us problems on counter attacks and set plays," Solskjaer said.
"We've played so many games in the past few months, the players are down to the bare bones, energy levels are down and they need a break."
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo was shown his second yellow card of the season for complaining to fourth official Chris Kavanagh.
United could have snatched the points in stoppage time when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a dangerous cross from the right but substitute Diogo Dalot's header was off target.
"It was a good performance at Old Trafford and a good game for us. United are a good team," Santo said after the match.
"It was balanced and both teams had chances and wanted to win. I'm happy with the performance."
The result means United are unable to take back fifth place, following Sheffield United's 1-0 win earlier on Saturday.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Game Information
English Premier League Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liverpool | 16 | 12 | 3 | 1 | +21 | 39 |
Chelsea | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | +18 | 35 |
Arsenal | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | +18 | 33 |
Nottingham Forest | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | +4 | 31 |
AFC Bournemouth | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | +6 | 28 |
Aston Villa | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 28 |
Manchester City | 17 | 8 | 3 | 6 | +4 | 27 |
Newcastle United | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | +6 | 26 |
Fulham | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | +2 | 25 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | +1 | 25 |
Tottenham Hotspur | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | +14 | 23 |
Brentford | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 23 |
Manchester United | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | -1 | 22 |
West Ham United | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | -8 | 20 |
Everton | 16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | -7 | 16 |
Crystal Palace | 17 | 3 | 7 | 7 | -8 | 16 |
Leicester City | 17 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -16 | 14 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 17 | 3 | 3 | 11 | -13 | 12 |
Ipswich Town | 17 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -16 | 12 |
Southampton | 17 | 1 | 3 | 13 | -25 | 6 |