Wolves 2 United 1

United`s title hopes were jolted when they suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season at lowly Wolves.

Sir Alex Ferguson was, once again, able to call upon the services of Rafael and Fletcher, the former having missed the last game through concussion and the latter after picking up an eye injury in our last fixture.

Team - Van Der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand (Evans-00), Vidic, Rafael, Giggs, Carrick, Nani, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney

Subs - Kuszczak, O`Shea, Smalling, Anderson, Scholes, Owen, Hernandez

Before the game had even started Ferdinand was forced to pull out of the line up after picking up an injury in the warm up, Evans replaced him.

First Half - Wolves attacked from the off with Milijas firing over inside the second minute, but United were quick to show their class when Nani scored with United`s first attack, cutting inside from wide and firing a shot past Hennessey at his near post.

Wolves 0 United 1 (Nani - 03 minutes)

United could have doubled their early lead minutes later when Berbatov combined with Rooney but Rooney`s shot lacked power and Hennessey easily saved.

Wolves to their credit; were soon level though, United were caught out when the home side took a set-piece and Jarvis provided an excellent cross for Elokobi to head past Van der Sar.

Wolves 1 United 1 (Elokobi - 10 minutes)

Rooney had a sniff of a chance from a United corner, meeting Vidic`s flick-on but crashing his shot off target. Berbatov then used his trickery to create an opportunity but his shot flew straight at Hennessey who coped comfortably.

Nani then saw a free kick dip narrowly over the bar from all of twenty-five yards. Van der Sar was then forced into action, saving with his feet as O`Hara threatened to put Wolves ahead.

United, having conceded a free-kick, then saw the resulting free kick from Milijas take a wicked deflection off Fletcher to drift past the far post with Van der Sar beaten.

Wolves pressure then saw them take the lead when Doyle scored when he and Elokobi rose to meet a perfectly flighted Milijas free kick, scoring past Van der Sar from six yards out.

Wolves 2 United 1 (Doyle - 39 minutes)

As half time approached Nani missed a good chance to put United level, heading over a decent cross from Rafael.

Half Time - Wolves 2 United 1

Second Half - Sir Alex made one change at half time, introducing Scholes for Carrick. Nani had the first shot but his effort was well wide. Giggs, in shooting range, hesitated and the chance to shoot was gone.

Wolves threatened next when Jarvis set up O`Hara but his shot lacked power and was cleared by the United rearguard.

Sir Alex, desperately trying to rescue something from the game with less than half an hour to go, introduced Hernandez in place of Berbatov. Wolves worked an opening through Jarvis but his cross was hit too hard for Doyle to get on the end of.

Berra then produced a great block to deny Rooney after Hennessy had put unnecessary pressure on his defence. Berra then blocked a Hernandez shot as time began to run out.

Desperate to get the equaliser Scholes tried to punch the ball in the net but Hennessey had it covered and the referee had spotted it anyway. Any chances of a penalty being given when Evra`s cross hit the hand of Zubar were ended when the referee waved play on.

With five minutes of stoppage time announced United were looking to not only retrieve appoint but to also preserve that unbeaten record. But time was fast running out and when Vidic saw his pass go out for a goal kick the Wolves fans probably knew the three points were theirs.

The unbeaten run had ended at bottom of the table Wolves of all places!

Full Time - Wolves 2 United 1

Vital Man United on:

Vital Man United on:

Join Vital Man United

It's easy to REGISTER HERE, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.