Wolves vs Man United: 5 things we learned as Paul Pogba misses penalty as Red Devils held at Molineux

Wolves 1-1 Man United: Ruben Neves cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener before Pogba was denied by Rui Patricio from the spot

Paul Pogba missed a penalty as Manchester United were held by Wolves at Molineux.

Anthony Martial’s quick dart in behind was read by Marcus Rashford’s through ball and the Frenchman’s powerful finish into the roof of the net at the near post broke the deadlock.

Ruben Neves levelled for the hosts after the restart, curling delightfully into the top right corner, with VAR eventually awarding the goal after a close call for offside in the build-up.

Pogba then drove into the box and won a penalty after tempting Conor Coady into tripping him, but the Frenchman was denied by Rui Patricio’s excellent save.

Here are five things we learned from Molineux.

1. United’s penalty rotation backfires

Marcus Rashford converted a penalty emphatically against Chelsea after winning the spot kick himself after Kurt Zouma dangled out a leg.

But the policy appears to be if you win it, you take it. Paul Pogba’s mazy dribble into the Wolves box lured Conor Coady into fouling the Frenchman and he grabbed the ball to take it the penalty himself.

Rui Patricio saved superbly to his right to deny Pogba though, bringing into question why Rashford, after converting so superbly last week, was not handed the ball again.

A short conversation between Pogba and Rashford occurred after the penalty was given, but Solskjaer may now interfere and appoint a penalty taker permanently.

Pogba reacts at Molineux (Reuters)

2. Armpit debate rages once more

Raheem Sterling’s armpit denied him a goal during the opening weekend of the season against West Ham and VAR was at it again at Molineux when determining whether Joao Moutinho was offside when Diogo Jota returned a short corner to him before Ruben Neves eventually scored from range to equalise.

After a short wait and several lines scribbled across the screen on the replays that followed, the goal was awarded.

The right decision? Just about it appeared, but the margins will be extremely fine this season and moving forward.

Wolves celebrate equalising against United (AFP/Getty)

3. Wolves shaken by Pogba threat from deep

Wolves began with a rigid shape to deny United space to build out from the back, as well as in advanced wide areas.

But the visitors quickly found the antidote when Pogba began to wriggle free to enable himself time to lift the ball in behind Wolves. His pinpoint accuracy to find Martial, Rashford and, at times, Daniel James, ensured space developed in front of Wolves’ back line for runners to move into as the hosts retreated.

Pogba’s immediate future therefore appears to be in a deeper, more reserved role, which is complimenting United’s incredible speed further up the pitch but limiting his overal influence on this side.

Pogba and Neves battle for possession (REUTERS)

4. James given torrid reception

James was rewarded for his instant goalscoring impact against Chelsea with a start on the road against Wolves and instructed to hug the right touchline to spread United’s influence in the final third with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford gravitating towards the left.

James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka dovetailed nicely, with the right-back pushing inside to allow the Welsh winger space.

A knock-and-run past Joao Moutinho saw James tumble in the first half, with a yellow card brandished for simulation, which only added to the hot reception he was receiving. ​As opponents struggle to cope with James’ pace, away crowds’ reaction to the player could now develop into a theme this season with referees under pressure to book him with inevitable appeals forthcoming.

Martial celebrates his opener (Getty) (Getty Images)

5. Martial bolsters case as United’s No 9

“The goals are scored from between the posts and not the worldies that we’ve seen them score, both of them, Marcus and Anthony with curlers in the top corner or dribble,” Solskjaer remarked when discussing his players’ desire to play as a No 9 last week.

“I want both of them to be more scoring easy goals because you don’t have to work too hard to score them, just a little bit of movement.”

The opener at Molineux was not quite between the posts and while it appeared as such, it was definitely not easy, but Martial’s drive into the area and a willingness to take the shot on early with his weaker foot, proved to be the perfect response to his manager.

Donning the No 9 once more on his back, Martial is quickly repaying his manager’s faith in him occupying a more central area with shorter movement, closer to goal. Expect the 23-year-old to comfortably beat his previous best of 11 Premier League goals from his first four seasons at Old Trafford.