Man Utd ratings: Solid Juan Mata bags winner while Matic looks past it as United edge past Wolves in drab FA Cup replay
MANCHESTER UNITED limped to a drab 1-0 win against Wolves in front of sparsely populated Old Trafford to send them through to the FA Cup fourth round.
A tidy finish from Juan Mata on 67 minutes saw the Red Devils nick a game that seemed destined to remain goalless if the teams had played for a year.
United were bailed out by VAR early in the first-half when Pedro Neto's strike was ruled out for a handball by Raul Jimenez in the build up.
But despite the sinfully boring nature of the game, United edged it to setup a tie against either Watford or Tranmere and here's what SunSport's William Pugh thought of their individual performances.
SERGIO ROMERO - 5
Looked a little rusty early on but did what he had to do albeit in a messy fashion.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA - 6
Tried to make things happen going forward.
Seemed a little overwhelmed in defence as Wolves directed most of their attacks down his side.
One of few bright-ish sparks for United.
VICTOR LINDELOF - 7
Solid in the challenge and stood up to Wolves' early attacks.
Easily the best defender and needed to be alongside shaky Maguire.
HARRY MAGUIRE - 5
Bottled the tackle with Jimenez to let Neto slot home Wolves' disallowed opener.
Looked out of sorts during first-half and was lucky to have Lindelof alongside him.
Perked up a bit after the break but was booked for rash challenge on Jimenez.
BRANDON WILLIAMS - 5
Handbags with Neto at the end of the first-half was his most significant contribution in the first 45.
His battle with the winger became somewhat of a 'thing' in the second-half and the youngster had the upper hand.
FRED - 4
The old Fred was back. But not the old Fred who was good at Shakhtar.
The old Fred who was terrible at Man Utd before his slight improvement in recent times.
Awfully judged pass led to Wolves' early goal but was bailed out after VAR intervened and disallowed it for a fluke handball by Jimenez in the build up.
Booked for cynical foul when trying to catch up with play in first-half.
Couple half-hearted balls after the break but not enough of a contribution for a United centre-midfielder... AGAIN.
NEMANJA MATIC - 4
Marauded around the field proving anyone right who thinks he is not good enough for Manchester United.
Always seemed half a yard off when defending and passing was sloppy when in possession.
Poor man's Scott McTominay.
JUAN MATA - 7
Some tidy passes in the first-half showed flashes of the old Mata but you feel he'll soon be a fully fledged member of Matic's 'not good enough for United' club.
But was one of the better performers on the night - which isn't saying much - and took his goal well with a sumptuous chip amid the dross served up by both teams.
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MASON GREENWOOD - 5 (subbed off, 63 mins)
Almost non-existent.
May as well have not been on the pitch but job made more difficult by Wolves' compact defence and his midfield's inability to move the ball at pace and create openings for him or Martial.
DANIEL JAMES - 5 (subbed off, 63 mins)
Could have and maybe should have scored with two chances before the break but John Ruddy was equal to both efforts.
Dragged one wide after Williams played him early in the second-half.
Seems to be showing signs of burnout after a lightning start to the season.
ANTHONY MARTIAL - 7
Had a couple of half-chances in the first-half and sprung into action on the rare occasion the ball came near him.
Victim of lack of service rather than lack of intent as has been the case a few times this season.
But played Mata in well for the winner.
SUBS
ANDREAS PEREIRA - 5 (replaced Greenwood)
Ran around and helped see the game out.
MARCUS RASHFORD - 5 (replaced James, then subbed off again on 78 mins)
Played barely 15 minutes before a tough challenge by Matt Doherty saw him limp back down the tunnel with a back injury.
JESSE LINGARD - 5 (replaced Rashford)
Not enough time to make an impact.