Manchester United bounced back from back-to-back Premier League defeats by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford to bolster their top-four bid.
Erik ten Hag’s side had lost to Brighton and West Ham to give Liverpool – who were a point behind in fourth at the start of the day – hope of snatching a Champions League place at their expense .
But Anthony Martial opened the scoring in the first half before Alejandro Garnacho added a second in stoppage time to secure a win that took Manchester United four points clear of the Reds with three games to play.
With Marcus Rashford out through injury, it was shaping up to be a tough day in front of goal for the hosts as they missed a number of decent chances, particularly through Antony.
The winger curled an effort just wide after running into space before sending a close-range header when unmarked.
But Antony provided the assist for the first-half breakthrough when he was played by Bruno Fernandes and he generously squared Martial for the tap-in.
Antony had another chance to get on the scoresheet in the second half, but he fired a shot just wide of the post after being set up by a backheel from Fernandes.
However, substitute Garnacho eventually secured Manchester United second when he ran in the fifth minute of stoppage time before firing past Dan Bentley into the Wolves goal.
The visitors rarely threatened as they ended the game without a shot on target.
Manchester United remain fourth but are level on 66 points with third-placed Newcastle. Wolves, meanwhile, are 13th.
Man Utd close in on Champions League return
After beating Aston Villa in their last game at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s place in the top four at the end of the season looked like a formality as they were seven points above fifth-placed Liverpool with one game in hand. less.
But the Red Devils have been far less effective on the road than at home this season and defeats to Brighton and West Ham ahead of Saturday’s game opened the door for Jurgen Klopp’s side to try to sneak past.
Either way, Manchester United knew that three wins in their last four games would seal a top four spot and against a Wolves side who had recently secured the Premier League, it would have been a game that they would have felt confident of winning.
Curiously, the hosts played much of the game without the urgency of a side that still had plenty to play for and although they dominated play and created chances, they didn’t often put Bentley to work in the game. Wolves goal.
Antony, in particular, squandered several chances and often opted to shoot when a team-mate was in a better position, although he mostly made the right call for the opener when he set Martial up for a simple finish.
While it took until the 94th minute for the hosts to get a second, the scoreline reflected much more of Manchester United’s dominance as they put the pressure back on Liverpool in the race for the top four.
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