Manchester United v Wolves: Can United bounce back from their Champions League exit?
Basle rocked Manchester United to the very core in midweek as the Swiss side knocked the champions out of the Champions League. Sir Alex Ferguson will now be competing in the Europa League in the New Year, but that humiliation could prove fatal for Mick McCarthy's Wolves.
They say there is nothing as dangerous as a wounded beast and you can be sure that Sir Alex and the United players will be seething at their exit from Europe's elite competiton. The champions have been off colour for a long time. Even though they won the title and reached the Champions League final last season, most pundits agree that they lack real quality in the heart of midfield. Fergie's decision not to push the boat out for Wesley Sneijder now looks like a real howler.
While fans of rival clubs may have been in hysterics at United's demise in Europe, Wolves fans could be laughing on the other side of their face as Sir Alex demands a positive reaction from his players.
Wolves go into the game full of confidence following their fightback against Sunderland on Sunday. Seb Larsson's missed penalty could be the turning point in their season, but can they really go on to beat the champions at Old Trafford?
The champions needed a late goal from Ji-Sung Park last season to seal all three points against a resolute Wolves, but the visitors haven't won at Old Trafford for 31 years. As you would expect, there isn't really a lot of love for an away win here.
Manchester United v Wolves; Kick Off 3pm December 10 2011
Prediction Panel
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Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
4 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
4 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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OUR EXPERTS |
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|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
0 |
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Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
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Panel Verdict
The champions are expected to get over the Champions League heartache by beating Wolves.
Home: 30; Draw: 3; Away: 0. TBC 3
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
