Manchester United failed to have a shot on target in a domestic game for the first time since January 2015 as they played out a goalless FA Cup draw at Molineux.
With United having a two-legged EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City this month, the Old Trafford replay will take up their only spare January midweek without a game.
For Wolves, it adds to a marathon season that has already reached 36 games.
In a largely disappointing rematch of last year’s quarter-final, Marcus Rashford and Raul Jimenez both struck the woodwork in the second half.
Rashford came close a minute after his introduction as a second-half substitute, when his shot looped off Wolves skipper Conor Coady.
Jimenez’s was all his own work as he raced down the byeline and then, completely lacking in support, surprised United keeper Sergio Romero by shooting from a virtually impossible angle, sending the ball skidding off the woodwork.
READ ALSO: Arsenal Earns First Win Under New Coach Arteta
Wolves, whose season started in July, gave a debut to 21-year-old striker Benny Ashley-Seal. He became the 26th player to start for
Wolves during this campaign.
In truth, the young Londoner did not sparkle and appeared to complain of feeling ill before he was replaced by Jimenez at the break.
Wolves did create the best chance of the opening period, when a Pedro Neto corner was flicked on to Matt Doherty at the far post, only for Romero to make a fine reaction save.
Romero repelled Neto with his feet when the Portuguese teenager collected Adama Traore’s pass and created a space for a shot on the edge of the area after half-time, by which point the visitors were still to have a shot on target.
They did have a penalty claim for a foul on Brandon Williams by Leander Dendocker, although the video assistant referee confirmed on-field official Paul Tierney’s decision not to award it.
Juan Mata drifted a free-kick just wide and Rashford hit the bar when the ball looped up after Coady slid in to block 19 minutes from time, but Wolves keeper John Ruddy had still not made a save of note even
then.
BBC
