Gary O’Neil confirms a huge Wolves boost ahead of Man Utd clash
On Thursday, Manchester United will play their first Premier League game of the month at Molineux.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will have Pablo Sarabia and Joao Gomes back for Thursday’s Premier League match against Manchester United, while Rayan Ait-Nouri will be available to start.
Sarabia missed Wolves’ FA Cup fourth-round win over West Brom on Sunday, while Ait Nouri was only fit enough to play as a substitute after returning from his Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Algeria. Midfielder Gomes has missed the last three games due to suspension.
Erik ten Hag’s side travels to Molineux for only their second Premier League game of the year on Thursday evening, hoping to complete the double against their opponents, who lost 1-0 at Old Trafford on the opening day. However, O’Neil has welcomed the return of his trio, confirming on Wednesday that all are fit and available.
“Sarabia is back fit,” O’Neil told reporters. “Rayan is ready to start. Joao has returned from suspension and is fit. It will be a really tough challenge tomorrow because United has some outstanding players.”
Wolves were extremely unfortunate not to get at least a point against United in O’Neil’s first game as manager in August. The Midlands club squandered many golden opportunities and believes they should have been awarded a penalty in added time. Andre Onana collided with attacker Sasa Kalajdzic while attempting to collect a cross, and VAR officials chose not to send referee Simon Hooper to the screen, a decision later confirmed as erroneous by referee chief Howard Webb.
“I believe VAR calls are VAR calls, and there will be no fallout from that,” O’Neil said of the apparent injustice. “I don’t believe the boys will regard it as another chance at that game. It’s just a brand new game that will look quite different.
“Manchester United are in a slightly different place, we’re in a different place so I don’t think the last game will impact this one but we’ll look to carry the same energy, same work-rate, look to cause them some problems and continue what has been a good season for us so far.”
United will welcome back Onana for the trip to Molineux after Cameroon’s elimination from AFCON over the weekend. The 27-year-old missed his country’s opener after electing to play against Tottenham less than 24 hours before, and he was sacked after surrendering three goals against Senegal the following game.
Marcus Rashford will also be eligible for selection despite being fined £650,000 – equivalent to two weeks earnings – for calling in sick the morning after an unsanctioned night out in Belfast. Ten Hag claimed on Wednesday that the ‘internal matter’ had been resolved.
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