Manchester United secured a thrilling 4-3 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium, with Kobbie Mainoo shining as the hero with his impressive 97th-minute winner.
The match had a mix of everything – Marcus Rashford opened the scoring within five minutes, and Rasmus Hojlund doubled the lead in the 22nd minute. Despite two disallowed goals for offside, United couldn't put the game to bed in the first half.
Wolves made a comeback, with Pablo Sarabia converting a penalty to make it 2-1 in the 71st minute. Scott McTominay, coming off the bench, extended United's lead to 3-1 with a close-range header from a corner. Then, Wolves' captain Max Kilman scored, adding to the suspense.
In the dramatic sixth minute of added time, Pedro Neto levelled the score 3-3, sparking excitement in the Molineux stadium as Ten Hag had his head in his hands. However, Kobbie Mainoo emerged as the ultimate hero, reminiscent of Manchester United's legacy, calmly curling the ball past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa for the late winner. This ended United's four-game away winless streak and brought a smile to Sir Alex Ferguson's face in the stands.
"It is a dream come true," the 18-year-old Mainoo told TNT Sports at the Molineux Stadium. "I have still not come down from it. I still feel like I am dreaming, to be honest. To start playing in the Premier League for my boyhood club has been amazing. Now it's about trying to win more games."
When quizzed about playing with captain Bruno Fernandes, Mainoo replied: "He is a good role model to look up to and to share the pitch with him is crazy."
Analysis: United’s defensive struggles persist
Man United initially dominated against Wolves, scoring two goals, but the game took an unexpected turn, accumulating seven goals. Despite securing three points, the victory was less comfortable than anticipated, with control slipping away in the second half.
The fact Wolves scored three second-half goals showcased United's defensive struggles. The Red Devils have conceded two or more goals in five consecutive league games. United have become the second Premier League team to surpass 50 goals conceded in all competitions this season, currently standing at 52, joining Sheffield United who have conceded 59. Kobbie Mainoo emerged as a saving grace, overshadowing expected headlines that would have followed suit.