United booed off after Wolves stalemate as frustration grows at Old Trafford

Stand-in Manchester United captain Lisandro Martinez captured the mood around Old Trafford after Tuesday’s dispiriting 1-1 draw with Wolves, Sport360NG reports.

“The lads are very disappointed,” he admitted. “We expect better.”

So did the supporters, who voiced their anger at full-time after watching United fail to capitalise against a Wolves side arriving on the back of 11 consecutive league defeats and still rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. Despite ending their losing run, Wolves remain on course to challenge Derby County’s unwanted record as the competition’s poorest-ever side.

United’s performance did little to lift the gloom. Chants of “attack, attack, attack” rang out in the second half as Ruben Amorim’s team laboured to create chances. Instead of introducing youthful forwards Chido Obi or Shea Lacey, the head coach opted for a like-for-like defensive change, replacing Ayden Heaven with Leny Yoro with 15 minutes remaining — a decision that further irritated the home crowd.

The stalemate followed a worrying pattern at Old Trafford. United have recently lost at home to a 10-man Everton, failed to beat third-bottom West Ham and conceded four goals to Bournemouth. A Boxing Day win over Newcastle now feels more like an outlier than a turning point.

Remarkably, United still end 2025 in sixth place, level on points with Chelsea and behind them only on goal difference, with seventh the lowest they can finish when the current round of fixtures concludes on New Year’s Day.

Amorim remains outwardly optimistic.

“I’m really confident,” he said. “We just need to recover all the players. When we do, I have no doubt we will be a strong team.”

Injuries and absences have undoubtedly disrupted United’s rhythm. Mason Mount joined a growing list of sidelined players after failing to recover in time, while captain Bruno Fernandes was sorely missed. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Kobbie Mainoo is injured, and creativity has been in short supply as a result.

With Matheus Cunha below his best and new signing Benjamin Sesko still adapting, Amorim’s attacking options were limited. Joshua Zirkzee, who scored United’s opener with a deflected effort, was withdrawn at half-time — another decision that raised eyebrows. The Netherlands forward, signed from Bologna for £36.5m in July 2024, has struggled to convince and has rarely featured this season.

Speculation is growing that a move to Roma could suit all parties, allowing United to reinvest in a forward better suited to their needs. Amorim, however, defended his approach.

“I just focus on what the game is asking for,” he said. “They crowded the midfield and we needed balance.”

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already highlighted concerns over money spent on players who are not delivering, with Zirkzee among those under scrutiny.

Wolves head coach Rob Edwards acknowledged the tension inside Old Trafford, saying he warned his players at half-time about the negativity in the stands.

“Everyone came expecting a win, maybe a comfortable one, and that wasn’t the case,” he said.

Amorim stopped short of blaming absentees but accepted their impact.

“We lacked fluidity, quality and chance creation,” he admitted. “These details matter in difficult moments.”

As Martinez bluntly put it, more is expected. With 2026 approaching, United’s hopes of Champions League qualification may hinge less on recovery from injuries and more on decisive business in the January transfer window.