Sarabia’s Golden Touch Sends Old Trafford Into Silence
You could hear a pin drop at Old Trafford when Pablo Sarabia bent a free-kick into the top corner, sealing a memorable night for Wolves and a nightmare for Manchester United fans. The 1-0 defeat wasn’t just another bad day at the office for United—it’s another entry in a pattern of dwindling results that have left their supporters restless and frustrated.
Let’s get real. United looked short of ideas from kick-off, unable to break down a well-organized Wolves defense. Their front line—missing cohesion and sharpness—struggled to fashion any real opportunities. Christian Eriksen had the hosts’ closest chance early on, but his attempt from a set-piece was safely stopped by Dan Bentley. The Wolves keeper, called into action because José Sá was sidelined, barely had his gloves dirtied for most of the game.
Wolves Make History, United Suffer Again
This game was all about the visitors—Wolves are riding a wave. Sarabia may have started on the bench, but when he was called upon in the second half, he made the difference. Stepping up in the 77th minute, he curled the free-kick well out of United goalkeeper’s reach. The celebration in Wolves’ corner said everything—this wasn’t just three points, it was a statement. They’ve now won five on the bounce and, for the first time since 1980, completed a league double over United.
Wolves’ recent resurgence feels like more than a fluke. With Vitor Pereira at the helm, they’ve developed a steely edge and resilience that few expected when the season started. The defense looks solid, the midfield works hard, and Sarabia is becoming a gamechanger—they now sit 15th and suddenly, relegation talk is off the table.
But on the other side, United’s problems are glaring. Fifteen Premier League defeats in a single season tells the story. Despite a star-studded squad, they can’t convert possession into chances, and their home form is flatter than ever. Eriksen’s free-kick in the first half was the closest they came to scoring—hardly what fans expect from one of the world’s most valuable clubs.
Wolves’ approach was clever—stay compact, slow the tempo, and hit United on the counter when possible. By the time Sarabia lined up for that free-kick, even the most optimistic United supporter must have braced themselves. Sure enough, the ball floated in, and United’s fate was sealed.
This isn’t a one-off for Sarabia, either. He’s made a habit of big-game moments lately. Under Vitor Pereira, he’s thriving as a super sub and clutch goalscorer. You get the feeling Wolves found their new talisman at just the right time.
For United and manager, it’s back to the drawing board. For Wolves fans, there’s one thought: why can’t the season last forever?