Manchester United have completed a full Premier League season without defeat on their travels, but it is the trip to Gdansk that promises to define Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s season.
All roads lead to Poland for Wednesday’s Europa League final as Solskjaer aims to put the gloss on a campaign of progress with United’s first silverware in four years.
United wrecked Nuno Espirito Santo’s emotional farewell at Molineux to extend their unbeaten away run to 26 league matches, becoming only the third club in English football history to secure an entire season without defeat.
Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes were both left at home in a drastically overhauled squad, with this week’s final against Villarreal the priority. A number of youngsters, including Anthony Elanga, Shola Shoretire and William Fish all featured in what was a glimpse of United’s future.
Solskjaer has unquestionably delivered this season, with United finishing five points ahead of Liverpool in second place, yet it is Wednesday night where this campaign will be judged.
“You always feel pressure to win trophies at United, but sometimes a trophy can hide other imperfections,” he said. “There has been progress in the league and we see that we have improved. The next step is to win trophies and hopefully challenge in the Premier League.
“Winning on Wednesday can give you belief and hunger for more. When you win things you want to do it again. I know my players will think they can win it and move on to better things.”
Solskjaer admitted that Harry Maguire remained a major doubt for the final, as the defender continues to recover from ankle ligament damage. Maguire has not played since May 9 after sustaining the injury at Aston Villa, but he will fly out with the United squad to Poland.
This proved a disappointing end to Nuno’s magical four years as head coach, with Wolves falling to their 17th defeat of a difficult season. Nuno was given a great ovation from hundreds of fans outside the stadium, but what followed was a microcosm of Wolves’ campaign.
United were ahead after 13 minutes, after a brilliant counter-attack down the left. Daniel James was sent running down the wing and his cross into the Wolves penalty area found Elanga, who powered his header home for his first United goal.
Making only his second league start, Elanga was full of running and intent for much of the afternoon. Wolves did equalise six minutes before half-time after a combination between two summer signings, Fabio Silva and Nelson Semedo, playing in front of home fans for the first time.
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Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]