Wolves - Manchester United challenge each other on the traditional Boxing Day, both with the same result in their minds: 0-3, a partial that, however, has opposite meanings and has given totally different emotions, of joy for Wolverhampton who, at the first time of Vitor Pereira on the bench, defeated Leicester in the derby of the Midlands, of discouragement for Manchester United who, at home, collapsed against a super Bournemouth. For the Red Devils, now, the categorical imperative of getting up again is in force in order not to get irretrievably disengaged from a European zone that already seems difficult to reach, while for the Wolves euphoria and conviction will be the fuel to look for another positive result that can make the team go up again, for now, however, still second-last together with Ipswich.

Wolves' shape and key statistics

By merit or by chance, the effect of a change of coach on a team in crisis can truly be miraculous and that is what happened to Wolves in the 0-3 win at Leicester that came after four consecutive defeats that cost Gary O'Neil the bench in favour of Vitor Pereira.

With this success Wolverhampton now have three Premier League victories and, to use a pun, even up the number of draws, while the 11 defeats they have suffered still weigh heavily in the table.

Further credit to the Wolves' defence, which, for the second time in the league, managed to keep its goal unbroken with a Jose Sa seen ready and responsive on more than one occasion.

Manchester United's shape and key statistics

For Manchester United, this season, which has yet to reach the halfway mark, is already full of games to forget and the 0-3 defeat against Bournemouth is one of them. Imprecise going forward and very fragile in defence, Amorim's Manchester United rediscovered the same problems they had under Ten Hag and now see the number of defeats in the Premier League (7) exceed the number of wins (6) and the number of goals conceded (22) be greater than the number of goals scored (21).

A disappointing 13th place in the Premier League can only be the consequence and, to make the season's balance even more bitter, there is certainly the recent elimination in the League Cup at the hands of Tottenham. The two flashes of the derby win against Manchester City and the Europa League success against Plzen, for now, are all but archived as the league table is too negative and the last 0-3 too heavy.

Match prediction and tactical overview

The match that can be expected at Molineux will be one between two teams that will try to attack the match: Wolves to take advantage of the moment and to attack an injured and fragile opponent, Manchester United by name and by the quality of the players. The euphoria, however, is all on the home side and too many times we have seen Manchester United lose when they should have reacted. BetMines' prediction on this Premier League match almost perfectly halves the chances of a Manchester United win with a no win for the Red Devils, with the 1X pro Wolves starting slightly ahead.

• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Wolves - Manchester United match has the 1X at 51%.
• The BetMines algorithm prediction for the Wolves - Manchester United match: 2 at 49%.

Wolves - Manchester United probable lineups

Wolves (3-4-3): Jose Sa; Forbs, Dawson, Toti; Doherty, Joao Gomes, Andre, Rodrigo Gomes; Guedes, Cunha, Larsen. Coach: Pereira.

Manchester United (3-4-2-1): Onana, De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes; Hojlund. Coach. Amorim.