Premier League debutant Dan Bentley earned praise from Bruno Fernandes and Erik ten Hag following Wolves’ 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.
If you were wondering why Erik Ten Hag is desperate to bring an elite centre-forward to Old Trafford, well the nature of Saturday’s home clash with Julen Lopetegui’s Wolverhampton Wanderers should go a long way to providing an explanation.
What’s more, if you asked ChatGPT to write a Manchester United match report, it would look something like this. Create chance after chance, and waste chance after chance. The Red Devils had 27 shots on goal against Wolves, but still had to wait until stoppage time for substitute Alejandro Garnacho to put the game to bed.
Bentley, making his top-flight bow, certainly played his part in goal. The former Bristol City stopper – who has acted as number two behind Jose Sa during 2022/23 – made superb reaction saves to keep out Jadon Sancho, Casemiro and the influential Antony, much to Ten Hag’s chagrin.
Dan Bentley shines as Wolves lose to Manchester United
“We missed great opportunities. And, once again, we make the keeper from the opponent the Man of the Match,” Ten Hag sighs. “And that’s often the case! We have to be more clinical and then games are more easy, but I’m, of course, happy with today’s result.”
The outstanding Bruno Fernandes set up Garnacho’s winner and played a key role in Anthony Martial’s opener.
“We did a professional game and could have scored more,” Fernandes tells the BBC. “Their keeper had a really good game to keep Wolves in the game.
“It wasn’t a case of wasting our chances. Their keeper did a really good job. We have to compliment him.”
Manchester United now need just two wins from their final three games to seal a Champions League spot. Wolves, meanwhile, are safe from relegation and can start putting plans in place ahead of the summer transfer window.
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