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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it's too early to talk about Manchester United's chances of winning the Premier League title after their late victory against Wolves on Tuesday.

Marcus Rashford's stoppage-time goal handed United all three points against Wolves at Old Trafford and moved the Red Devils up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool. 

The result stretched United's unbeaten run in the league to nine games, but Solskjaer believes any chat about a Man Utd title challenge should be shelved for now.

However, the Norwegian tactician said the team have 'belief' and they feel they can get the better of any team.

"There's no title race after 15 games," Solskjaer said. "You can lose the chance of being in a race in the first 10 games. But play another 15, get to 30, and then maybe we can start talking about a title race."

"But the belief is there. We go into every game thinking we can win against anyone anywhere. Away we've shown what we're capable of, we are improving at home as well and this result is massive for confidence and attitude."

Bruno Fernandes was once again instrumental in United's win, with his ball over the top leading to Rashford's late strike. 

Since his Premier League debut in February, the Portugal international has been directly involved in more goals in the Premier League than any other player (32 – 18 goals, 14 assists).

Solskjaer admitted it was not Fernandes' most stellar performance but he was pleased his perseverance paid off. 

"He didn't play his best game, definitely," he said. "He's played better games but he's always in and around creating chances.

"Maybe he made more for them than he did for us today! But he's got that knack of looking for that pass, and in the end it worked."

On Tuesday, the Premier League confirmed 18 new positive Covid-19 tests in the week commencing December 21 – the highest number of positive results in a single round of tests this season.

When asked about the predicament, Solskjaer said he cannot see the benefit of the Premier League temporarily halting action in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The news came just a day after Manchester City's game at Everton was postponed at four hours' notice due to a coronavirus outbreak at the Etihad Stadium, while Fulham's match against Tottenham on Wednesday is also in doubt.

Eighteen positive cases surpasses the previous high of 16 recorded in the week commencing November 9, and mirrors the wider situation in England, with more people now in hospital due to the virus than at the peak of the first wave in April.

West Brom head coach Sam Allardyce has called for a circuit break – a tight set of restrictions designed to reverse the tide of the pandemic – but Solskjaer is unsure what benefit that would bring. 

"As a club and as a group we've been really good at following the protocols," Solskjaer said.

"That's part of the job. I can't see the benefit in having a circuit break because when are we going to play the games?

"We all know this year is so difficult, but if you stop more games I don't think that's going to make a big change – it might be a longer one. When do we finish the season?"

West Brom manager Sam Allardyce has urged the Premier League to take a 'circuit break' after a recent spike in Covid-19 cases. 

A further 18 cases of the virus were reported by the competition on Tuesday following the suspension of Manchester City's clash with Everton just 24 hours earlier due to an outbreak of the illness. 

Tottenham's match against Fulham on Wednesday is now also in doubt as the Cottagers try to deal with more positives cases within the club. 

Allardyce, who saw his side lose 5-0 to Leeds United on Tuesday, believes the Premier League needs to take drastic action soon to ensure the safety of all involved. 

"I'm very concerned for myself and football in general," Allardyce said following the Leeds defeat. 

"Everyone's safety is more important than anything else. When I listen to the news that the variant virus transmits quicker than the original virus, we can only do the right thing, which is have a circuit break.

"I am 66 years old and the last thing I want to do is catch Covid.

"As much as we're getting tested - we had one positive this week - it seems to be creeping round. No matter how hard we try, no matter how many times we get tested, how we wear our masks, how we sanitise our hands, we're still catching a lot infections round the country.

"If that helps [a circuit break], let's do it and let the season run a little longer when we get through it."

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo also backed up Allardyce's suggestion and claimed a suspension of the competition may soon be impossible to avoid.

"The rising of the cases is increasing massively over the country and we are not an exception," Nuno said after seeing his side lose 1-0 to Manchester United on Tuesday. 

"Some things are impossible to avoid. If there's a break coming, then people have to sit down and see if it's for the better."

Lower leagues in England are also struggling to deal with an increase in coronavirus cases with seven League One games postponed on Tuesday. 

Mikel Arteta's January business will not change due to Arsenal's past two results, although Bukayo Saka continues to provide the creative spark the Gunners need.

Arsenal were winless in seven and 15th in the table at Christmas but have since beaten Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion.

The latter 1-0 victory at Brighton came courtesy of an Alexandre Lacazette strike 29 seconds after coming off the bench on Tuesday.

Arteta's men are now nine points clear of the bottom three, surely quelling any mischievous relegation talk, but they are not looking to take their foot off the gas.

Asked if back-to-back wins for only the second time this season in the league would affect the urgency to make moves in the coming transfer window, Arteta replied: "No, the last few results won't change our approach to the window."

The Arsenal manager was asked specifically about the prospect of signing out-of-favour Real Madrid playmaker Isco but added: "Obviously we cannot talk about individual players."

With Mesut Ozil left out of Arsenal's Premier League and Europa League squads, Isco could potentially bring a new dimension in the centre of the pitch.

In his seven and a half years in Madrid, only Karim Benzema (60), Cristiano Ronaldo (47) and Toni Kroos (46) have provided more La Liga assists for Los Blancos than Isco (42), who has created 306 chances in 217 matches (1.4 per game).

However, on the wing, Arsenal already have a creative force in the form of 19-year-old England international Saka.

A superb assist for Lacazette was his 15th in all club competitions since the start of last season, more than any other Arsenal player.

Saka played the most key passes (three) of any visiting player at the Amex Stadium, having scored his second league goal of the season in the Chelsea match.

Arteta is keen to keep the player grounded, though, telling reporters: "I would like everybody to be cautious and let him be and let him develop.

"I think he's having the right progression, I think he's got the right people around him, in his house, in his entourage.

"Then he's got the right team-mates as well to support him all the time, give him confidence, keep his feet on the floor but also give him support and confidence.

"Hopefully we can be the right coaches around him and the right club to see what he can be in the future.

"Today he had a difficult game in the first half because we weren't using certain moments to generate advantages for him and the other attacking players in the right way.

"The game becomes really difficult with your back to goal against a back five in a low block.

"In the second half, we started to play different balls and attack in a different way. They found more freedom, more space and more capacity to unlock the situations and the block.

"We created four or five big chances and he was involved in most of them."

Saka was substituted nine minutes from time having failed to shake off a knock, with Arteta asked if the apparent injury was serious.

"Hopefully not," the manager said. "He was limping - I think he took a strong challenge - but hopefully he will be fine."

Thiago Alcantara is getting closer to a return to first-team action for Liverpool but Jurgen Klopp says he is unlikely to feature in Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.

The Spain midfielder hasn’t played since picking up a knee injury in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton in mid-October but was set to return to full team training on Monday.

Thiago has only played twice since his £20 million ($26m) move from Bayern Munich over the summer, but he set a Premier League passing record on his debut in September and there is plenty of excitement at Anfield around what he can bring to Klopp’s side.

“I like watching all my boys playing and with Thiago, of course he had a few minutes, I would say, until he got injured,” Klopp said.

“So of course, we are looking forward to that, but I don’t know. It’s not really likely that he will travel [to Newcastle], let me say it like this.

“He needs a few sessions. He was really out for a long time after a really harsh challenge – that was a proper impact. Nothing ruptured, nothing broken, but that still took time obviously and it still takes time. We cannot rush that; we will not do. So, I don’t know.”

Klopp’s earlier comments suggested Thiago’s return could still be a little way off, as he is keen to make sure he is fully fit and up to speed before throwing him back into action.

"Thiago has trained in part with the team so far, but on Friday, he trained the full session," he told reporters. "But it was a reduced session so we couldn't do that [full session].

"He just has to be part of team training [regularly]. It's not about being part of team training one day and then you can play football in the Premier League.

"So, it looks quite promising at the moment but I cannot say more about it, to be honest. I don't know. I think the plan was that if he trains [on Monday] completely normally then we will see.”

After the trip to Newcastle, Liverpool start 2021 with a trip to Southampton and an FA Cup clash with Aston Villa, before a home fixture against in-form Manchester United on January 17.

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has revealed his plan to exploit tiring Wolves wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri that resulted in the crucial match-winning goal.

Rashford struck the vital blow in the 93rd minute as the Red Devils sunk Wolves 1-0 at Old Trafford to go second in the Premier League table heading into the New Year.

The 23-year-old ran in behind the tiring Ait-Nouri to receive Bruno Fernandes' pass, before cutting inside and finding the back of the net after a wicked deflection off Romain Saiss.

Ait-Nouri went down injured shortly before Fernandes played the assist to Rashford, with the 19-year-old getting up and scrambling to try to get back into position.

Rashford said he noticed the young wing-back struggling with his fitness and aimed to take advantage by constantly running in behind the French defender.

"It’s the deciding goal," Rashford said to reporters post-match. "Probably not the most beautiful but we will take what we can get and take the three points and move on.

"Today was tough but we expected a tough game but managed to get over the line.

"The full-back had cramp a few minutes before so I just had it in my head I wanted to go at him and make him chop and turn and just see if I could make something happen and thankfully in the end we got a deflection.

"It means a lot. We were a little disappointed that we didn’t play as well as we wanted to or could have but it is three points and no matter how scrappy it was we will take it.

"For us, we can’t look too far ahead. We are a team that is still doing a lot of work on ourselves. We have to take it one game at a time but if we can keep finding ways to win like this we will see where we are at the end of the season."

The Red Devils are now clear in second position - two points behind league leaders Liverpool - with a home fixture against Aston Villa to come on New Year's Day.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Manchester United’s win over Wolves on Tuesday was “a bit flukey” – but he was delighted to see the Red Devils revive a club tradition with a last-gasp goal.

Marcus Rashford’s shot deep into injury time deflected off Romain Saiss and into the bottom-right corner to take United to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

In a game of few chances, United were rewarded after showing more endeavour than their opponents throughout the 90 minutes. Solskjaer was evidently delighted with the late win, fortunate as it may have been.

"Bit lucky, bit flukey, but that's what happens when you put teams under pressure,” Solskjaer told BBC Sport after the game.

“It was a point we brought up early in the season in a meeting. We didn’t win many points towards the end of games and we have a tradition for it at this club.

"That has happened so many times at that end and now we have won quite a few points towards the end of games and that is both a mental and physical aspect.

“We’ve got a group now that is more robust both mentally and physically. We have gone through some tough training periods, played loads of games and they are getting fitter and fitter.

“The fitter you are, the more you can do. But mentally as well, it gives you a boost knowing you can win games towards the end.”

United haven’t always had an easy time against Wolves in their recent encounters, and Solskjaer was pleased to record his first league win over Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

With the top of the table within reach and a huge clash with Liverpool just around the corner, talk of a genuine title run is starting to build around Old Trafford – but Solskjaer insists he and his side are keeping their focus.

“We didn’t perform as well as we want to but we won a game against a very difficult side to play against,” he said.

"It’s the first league in the win for me against them. There have never been many goals in the games but for me this is a big step forward, that you don’t play well but you win.

“We just focus on the next game. I am very boring but we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves. We have got to a decent position at the moment but the season hasn’t even reached halfway.

"The year has been positive in terms of results. It's a group that are now physically and mentally ready to go up the table."

Arsenal need their senior players to help them through their difficult season – and, says Mikel Arteta, Alexandre Lacazette is doing just that.

Lacazette came off the bench against Brighton and scored the winning goal just 29 seconds later, his third goal in his last three appearances.

Arteta said the forward’s instant impact was the stuff of managers’ dreams, though he would still like him to improve his goalscoring output.

“I think this is what all the managers dream of, to bring people from the bench and win you the game like he’s done tonight,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference.

“I think he’s been in really good form in the last few weeks. He’s been scoring goals. He’s full of confidence. Today he had a sore back, he could not start the game. But he came on and won the game for us which is massively important.

“We need big players and the senior players to step up in these difficult moments and he’s doing that for sure. Front players need their team-mates to support them and put them in situations like he had today as often as possible. But at the same time, they have to step up and create these opportunities themselves.

“I think Laca is working very hard. Since I’ve been here his work has never been an issue. His goalscoring record could improve and but it’s improving because he’s so willing to do it for us also.”

Lacazette’s goal came via a fine assist from Bukayo Saka. It was the youngster’s 15th assist in all competitions since the start of last season – more than any other Arsenal player has managed in that time.

“I think it was a great move from Bukayo first to create the action that he did,” Arteta said. “But then I think apart from the finish it was [Lacazette’s] movement.

“The counter-movement he made to create the space for himself, the touch and the finish. I think it was a brilliant goal.

“Today, [Saka] had a difficult game in the first half because we weren't using certain moments to generate advantages for him and other attacking players in the right way. So the game becomes really difficult, all the time back to goal against a back five in a low block.

“In the second half, the moment we started to play different balls and attack in a different way, they found more freedom, more space, and more capacity to unlock the situations and the block and we created four or five big chances and he was involved in most of them.”

Gabon forward Aaron Boupendza scored four goals while Nigeria's David Akintola grabbed a goal in Hatayspor's 6-0 victory over Antalyaspor in a Turkish Super Lig match on Tuesday.

The encounter, initially scheduled for Monday, was postponed to this evening due to heavy rainfall which flooded the pitch and restricted the players from warming up.

Despite the incident, Boupendza got the visitors off to a flying start at the Antalya Stadium with his opening goal in the eighth minute and he doubled their lead in the 17th minute.

Four minutes later, the Gabon international grabbed his first career hat-trick and Akintola made it 4-0 in the 35th minute after benefitting an assist from Senegal's Mame Diouf.

Towards the end of the first-half, Boupendza linked up with his Nigerian teammate and made it 5-0 for Hatayspor while Mirkan Aydin completed the emphatic win for the visitors on the stroke of full-time.

Tuesday's heroics took Boupendza's tally to seven goals after 12 league appearances which made the 24-year-old the second-highest African goal scorer in the Turkish Super Lig after Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar who has eight goals to his name at Besiktas.

He was replaced in the 83rd minute while Akintola was substituted in the 89th minute after taking his tally to three goals and an assist in 11 league outings in his debut Super Lig campaign.

The result brought Hatayspor back to winning ways after their 1-0 loss to Trabzonspor last Tuesday and it ensured they ended 2020 in grand style.

Murat Sonmez's side have moved up to sixth in the Turkish top-flight standings with 24 points from 14 games. They will be aiming to maintain their fine goalscoring form when they host Konyaspor for their next league outing on January 2.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s narrow win over Brighton on Tuesday was “massively important”, with the Gunners’ season taking on a different complexion after another three points.

Following the 3-1 win over Chelsea on Boxing Day, Arsenal have now won back-to-back games for the first time since the opening two games of the season.

Alexandre Lacazette’s excellent finish after Bukayo Saka’s surging run down the right proved the only goal as Arteta’s side came out on the right side of a tight game.

The win took Arsenal up to 13th in the Premier League, nine points clear of the relegation zone and with the top half within touching distance.

"We know we've been struggling with results,” Arteta told Amazon Prime. “The fact we won against Chelsea was a big boost. To come here and get another win was massively important.

"I'm proud for the boys and happy for the result. Lacazette is in a good moment. He's full of confidence. We wanted to change the team in the second half and give it some freshness.

"We weren't threatening in certain areas. In the second half we looked much more confident and we were playing more forward.

"The best medicine is wins. It's a different world and a different story. The picture looks much better."

With 2020 drawing to a close, Arteta is reflecting on a tumultuous first full calendar year in charge at the Emirates Stadium.

His early successes and FA Cup win are distant memories now but, going into the new year, the Spaniard is hopeful of more positive times ahead.

"For any manager it's [been] hard enough considering the context - it's been quite a challenge. I've suffered in some moments but I have great people around me."

While Arsenal moved away from the bottom three, Brighton’s defeat left the Seagulls just two points clear of the drop zone.

"If you don't score and they do, then that's how it is,” manager Graham Potter said.

"Our work-rate was really, really good. We fell short and didn't come away with anything. We're suffering at the moment. The level we're playing at, the opposition have qualities themselves and can score from one chance.

"We feel like we've consistently performed well. We've been in the games. In this league you do suffer, but you have to stick together.

"There are no easy games in this league. Nothing changes from our perspective. Every game is a fight."

Barcelona's tribulations in La Liga continued in their final game of 2020 as Philippe Coutinho limped off injured and Eibar ensured the Catalans recorded their worst start to a league campaign for 17 years. 

Lionel Messi was left out of Ronald Koeman's squad on Tuesday and watched from the stands at Camp Nou as the hosts looked to make up lost ground on pace-setters Real and Atletico Madrid. 

But the misfiring Blaugrana found no way past Eibar and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw that leaves them marooned in sixth place. 

Martin Braithwaite missed from the penalty spot before Kike Garcia fired the visitors ahead, although Ousmane Dembele was able to level the scores and earn Koeman's charges a share of the points. 

And deep into injury time there was further consternation in the Barca ranks as Coutinho was forced off. 

The Brazilian went down holding his knee after attempting a pass and, despite receiving treatment, played no further part in the match. 

As Barca had already made all five substitutions, including Coutinho, they played the final minutes with 10 men, while serious injury to Coutinho could scupper any chances of finding the playmaker a new club during the January transfer window. 

Barcelona thus ended 2020 on a low note, as once more they failed to click under Koeman. 

A series of adverse results additionally means that the Blaugrana, who have won just seven of their opening 15 La Liga games, are en route to suffer their worst start for almost two decades. 

Not since 2003, under the stewardship of Koeman's old Netherlands team-mate Frank Rijkaard, have Barca failed to win more than half of their opening 15 league fixtures. 

While Messi has been far from his mercurial best in 2020-21, the Argentine's absence continues to be felt. 

Since his debut in 2004 Barca have won 73.7 per cent of their Liga games when Leo has featured; compared to just 55.9% when he has played no part in the match. 

Lionel Messi's absence was sorely felt by Barcelona on Tuesday as Ronald Koeman's side were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Eibar at Camp Nou.

Barca had given Messi – who was watching from the stands – a break to nurse an ankle injury, but the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's creativity and goal threat was badly missed as the hosts dropped points for the eighth time in 15 LaLiga games this season.

Martin Braithwaite was duly punished for an early penalty miss – a LaLiga-high third of the campaign for the Catalan giants – when Kike Garcia took full advantage of a Ronald Araujo error in the 57th minute.

Substitute Ousmane Dembele salvaged a draw for Barca 10 minutes later, although they are seven points behind leaders Atletico Madrid despite having played two games more.

Barca squandered a golden opportunity to take an eighth-minute lead, Braithwaite dragging his spot-kick wide after referee Javier Alberola Rojas had used the pitchside monitor to penalise Pedro Bigas for a foul on Araujo.

The Denmark international thought he had made amends shortly after the midway point of the first half, but his cool strike from Junior Firpo's cross was ruled out by VAR for offside.

Antoine Griezmann then pulled an effort wide from outside the penalty area as Barca went in at the interval having had just a solitary shot on target.

Dembele and Miralem Pjanic flashed strikes wide in the early stages of the second half before the former was denied by Marko Dmitrovic after being played clean through.

The Frenchman was made to pay for that miss when Kike picked Araujo's pocket inside the Barca half and coolly slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Dembele belatedly got the better of Dmitrovic in the 67th minute, firing home at the back post after Junior's cross flashed across the face of goal.

Francisco Trincao clipped narrowly wide of Dmitrovic's right-hand post in stoppage time as Barca missed the opportunity to make up ground on Atleti ahead of the leaders' clash with Getafe on Wednesday.
 

What does it mean? Another defensive lapse costs hosts

The result extended Barca's unbeaten streak in LaLiga to five games – their longest run in the competition under Koeman – but there was little to celebrate after taking just a point against a side they had won 11 of their previous 12 previous top-flight games against.

Messi's return will give them more firepower but the Argentine superstar will not be able to do anything about their woeful defending. Kike's strike was the fourth time this season a Barca error has led to a goal – more than any other team in the league.

Dembele a rare bright spot

Dembele was the only Barca player who could be pleased with his contribution. His goal came from one of three shots – the most of any Barca player – while he made a game-high four key passes, despite only playing 45 minutes.

Griezmann fails to fill Messi void

The France international endured a game to forget, having just one shot on target and failing to create a chance for a team-mate before he was hauled off in the 66th minute. Messi cannot return soon enough.

What's next?

Barca travel to rock-bottom Huesca on Sunday, the same day Eibar host Granada.

Alexandre Lacazette rode to Arsenal's rescue with the winner from the bench at Brighton and Hove Albion as a 1-0 success made it back-to-back Premier League victories since Christmas.

A seven-game winless run in the league was ended on Boxing Day as the Gunners beat Chelsea, although Mikel Arteta's men remained in 15th place after a dismal start to the season.

Rather than build on that triumph, a further setback appeared likely for a time at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday against Brighton, whose only prior home league win in 2020 had come on Arsenal's previous visit back in June.

But Lacazette, who lost his place in the XI to fit-again captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scored 29 seconds after his introduction as a substitute to settle a key clash in the bottom half in Arsenal's favour.

There was little in the first half to suggest Arsenal had brought forward any momentum from the Chelsea game, with Brighton well on top but themselves missing a cutting edge.

Bernd Leno watched Alireza Jahanbakhsh lash the best early chance over with the outside of his right boot, before the goalkeeper was belatedly called into action by the same man with the first shot on target eight minutes before the break.

Arsenal survived a goalmouth scramble within a minute of the restart, but they finally provided a threat on the counter soon after and Robert Sanchez blocked from Aubameyang at point-blank range.

An improved spell saw Gabriel Martinelli drive just over and the arrival of Lacazette on 66 minutes prompted the breakthrough.

A storming run down the right from Bukayo Saka created space for Lacazette, who was able to control in the centre with his first touch and fire decisively beyond Sanchez.

Only an apparent injury to Saka in the closing stages could put a dampener on a much better Arsenal second half.
 

What does it mean? Rollercoaster 2020 ends on a high

Arsenal have had quite the ride in the past 12 months. They were similarly struggling in the Premier League a year ago but recovered to achieve a respectable eighth-placed finish while crucially winning the FA Cup.

The 2020-21 campaign has been more testing still for Arteta, yet their first league win against Brighton since 1981 took the Gunners up to 13th, now nine points clear of danger.

Brighton remain very much in peril, meanwhile, having become the first team ever to complete a calendar year in the Premier League while winning just once at home.

Lacazette looks the part

It figured that Arsenal should only find the net after calling for Lacazette. No player in the Premier League has scored the opening goal in a game as often as the Gunners striker this season (five times).

His swift strike was also the fastest league goal by an Arsenal substitute since Opta records began in 2006-07.

Aubameyang problems persist

Skipper Aubameyang had missed the biggest chance of the match prior to Lacazette's appearance, but an anonymous first half was more concerning as he failed to justify his selection.

The Gabon forward had just 12 touches before the interval, of which as many were in Arsenal's box as Brighton's (one apiece), as the visitors failed to register a first-half shot on target for the fourth time this season.

Key Opta Facts

- Lacazette has scored in each of his past three games for Arsenal in all competitions, after netting just once in his previous 12.
- Since the start of last season, Saka has registered 15 assists in all competitions for Arsenal, more than any other player for the club.
- Brighton have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games, drawing seven and losing six.
- Arsenal kept their fourth away clean sheet this season in the Premier League, a figure only Aston Villa can better in 2020-21 (five).

What's next?

Arsenal are on the road against a side below them in the table again on Saturday as they visit West Brom. Brighton host Wolves earlier the same day.

Marcus Rashford scored in second-half stoppage time to earn Manchester United a 1-0 win over Wolves and send the Red Devils up to second in the Premier League.

In the 93rd minute of a turgid game with few clear chances for either side, the two stars of United's season combined to produce a goal that took their tally to 10 points from their past four games at Old Trafford and ended 2020 on a high.

Wolves failed to capitalise on United's flat display, prioritising their own low block to stifle the threat of fast breaks that brought Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men six goals against Leeds United in their previous home game, and defender Romain Saiss was the visitors' most potent attacking force.

But they slipped up late on when they failed to track Rashford's run onto a brilliant Bruno Fernandes pass and the England international's deflected goal extended his side's unbeaten run to nine league matches.

Saiss looped a header onto the top of the crossbar as Wolves threatened from a 22nd-minute free-kick, and United went close to opening the scoring when Fernandes' close-range volley was saved by the legs of Rui Patricio after 34 minutes.

David de Gea kept the scores level at the end of a difficult first half for the hosts, the United goalkeeper making a crucial save with his fists to block Saiss' near-post flick.

Edinson Cavani had the ball in the net after 68 minutes when he swept home Eric Bailly's knock-down following a corner but the effort was ruled out for offside.

A rare glimmer of brilliance from Paul Pogba forced Rui Patricio into a diving save from a raking 25-yard drive, before De Gea superbly staved off the threat of a Wolves winner by getting down quickly to parry Rayan Ait-Nouri's low angled shot away.

Just as it looked as though Wolves would run down the clock, Fernandes released Rashford with a 40-yard pass that was dispatched into the bottom-right corner – a touch off Saiss wrongfooting Rui Patricio.
 

What does it mean? Second place flatters tepid United

The win extends United's excellent run of results, but at the end of a year in which football's entertainment value has never been more important, this was a game to forget.

It took the Red Devils until the 34th minute to force a save from Patricio through Fernandes and they ended the game with just three shots on target. Such displays make it hard to see them as genuine title contenders, but their form suggests otherwise. They are now two points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Fernandes always fires

Even when United are flat, Fernandes remains in form and he provided three key passes, including the assist, and attempted three shots – the joint-most alongside Rashford.

Greenwood ineffective

Mason Greenwood created two chances before being substituted in the 64th minute, but the United forward was largely anonymous and failed to provide his side with an effective option on the right wing.

Key Opta Facts

- Rashford's winner (92:51) was United's latest winning goal in a Premier League game at Old Trafford since September 2009, when Michael Owen scored at 95:27 against Manchester City.
- Wolves have now conceded in each of their past nine games in the Premier League; their joint-longest run without a clean sheet in the competition under Nuno Espirito Santo (also nine games between December 2019 and January 2020.
- Since his Premier League debut in February, Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in the competition than any other player (32 – 18 goals, 14 assists).

What's next?

United are at home again on New Year's Day when Aston Villa are the visitors to Old Trafford, and Wolves' first game of 2021 comes a day later at Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Chicago Red Stars have acquired U.S. national team forward/winger Mallory Pugh and midfielder Sarah Killion Woldmoe in a trade from Sky Blue FC.

In exchange, Sky Blue will receive the fourth and eighth overall selections in the 2021 NWSL Draft, a conditional first round pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft and an international slot for 2021 and 2022.

For Pugh, it is her second trade within the space of a year after joining Sky Blue from the Washington Spirit in January. Due to injury and a reduced schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic, the World Cup winner made just one appearance for Sky Blue.

In Chicago, Pugh will be reunited with fellow 2019 World Cup champions Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher, Morgan Gautrat, and Tierna Davidson.

“I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to play for the Chicago Red Stars,” Pugh said in a club release. “The team has so many great players, including some of my USWNT teammates, and I can’t wait to join them and work hard to help the club bring home a championship.

"A huge thanks to the ownership and coach Rory Dames for making this happen. I’ll see you all in the Windy City soon.”

At 22, Pugh has already amassed 63 caps with the USWNT, tallying 18 goals. 

She has, however, seen her stock fall of late as she was left off the USWNT Olympic qualifying roster earlier this year. After axing Pugh from his roster, USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski said he was looking for more consistency from the attacker.

"I want to be clear that she's a very talented player, she performed well and she has a big future in front of her so I'm pretty sure if she keeps on developing, going forward she will be on this roster," Andonovski said.

"For Mal, consistency is crucial for being on this roster. She needs to be more consistent in the day to day, which is extremely hard."

Woldmoe, meanwhile, spent six years with Sky Blue after she was selected second overall in the 2015 NWSL Draft. She has made 116 NWSL appearances and has 11 goals and nine assists in her career.

Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Thabo Nthethe insists that he has no regrets over his failed managerial career at TS Galaxy. 

The retired central defender was announced as Galaxy's new team manager by club chairman Tim Sukazi prior to the start of the current season.

However, Nthethe quit the job at the Mpumalanga-based side after a month and he refused to disclose reasons why he left the club.  

The former Bafana Bafana international had joined the club as a player at the beginning of the 2019/20 National First Division (NFD) season, but he retired in January 2020. 

“I don’t have any regrets that my career as team manager has yet to materialise," Nthethe told Daily Sun. 

“I enjoyed myself as a player at Galaxy. Being a manager is one of the things I’d love to do to benefit any team. I was looking forward to the job that Sukazi offered me.

“But things never worked out the way I had planned and I decided to move on with my life. I still believe that it will eventually happen when the timing is right.”

The 36-year-old, who turned out for Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United in the PSL, is not interested in becoming a coach. 

“I don’t see myself on the bench as a coach in the PSL. If it happens it will be with development structures," he added. 

"I can only advice the first-team coach while being in the role of manager, but not become the man at the helm.”

Nthethe helped Celtic clinch the 2012 Telkom Knockout triumph as the club captain, before moving to Sundowns in the following year.

The Bloemfontein-born player said winning the Caf Champions League trophy with Downs in 2016 was his biggest achievement at club level. 

“I have won a lot of trophies, but winning the Champions League was definitely the icing on the cake in my career," he said. 

"It was a great moment, not only for me and Sundowns fans, but for the football fraternity in South Africa.”

Nthethe also helped Sundowns clinch three PSL titles, Nedbank Cup and Telkom Knockout under coach Pitso Mosimane. 

Marcus Rashford scored in second-half stoppage time to earn Manchester United a 1-0 win over Wolves and send the Red Devils up to second in the Premier League.

In the 93rd minute of a turgid game with few clear chances for either side, the two stars of United's season combined to produce a goal that took their tally to 10 points from their past four games at Old Trafford and ended 2020 on a high.

Wolves failed to capitalise on United's flat display, prioritising their own low block to stifle the threat of fast breaks that brought Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men six goals against Leeds United in their previous home game, and defender Romain Saiss was the visitors' most potent attacking force.

But they slipped up late on when they failed to track Rashford's run onto a brilliant Bruno Fernandes pass and the England international's deflected goal extended his side's unbeaten run to nine league matches.

Bongani Zungu said he feels lucky to be playing for Rangers and his experience in the Scottish Premiership has been awesome.

The 28-year-old secured a temporary move to the Ibrox Stadium in search for top-flight football following Amiens relegation from the Ligue 1 last season.

Although he is yet to start a league match for the Gers, the Bafana Bafana midfielder has made six appearances in the Premiership and he also made his debut in the Uefa Europa League earlier this month against Standard Liege.

Zungu narrated his experience at Ibrox Stadium to the Rangers Matchday Programme via Glasgow Times; “It has been awesome. I have been lucky to come to a team that has a lot of good guys in the dressing room.

“They have welcomed me and the coaching staff have also in terms of what is expected of me on the pitch.

“Everything has been good so far. There are a number of guys who have helped me a lot.

“The skipper, from the first day I came, he sent me a message and then I got here guys like Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo, Connor Goldson and Jermain Defoe have all really helped me.

“I am so lucky to play for a team that has a lot of qualities. For me, instead of looking at it as competition, I am really excited as when I get a chance I have a lot of quality around me. That helps with my confidence.

“Those things take time and hard work, but the gaffer has shown me a lot of video clips and has been telling me what is expected of me.

“Of course, I am playing for a team that has a lot of attacks, but part of my job is to be the security behind the guys when we lose the ball.”

Zungu has been playing a part in Rangers' 20-game unbeaten run in the Scottish top-flight this season. He disclosed that he is gaining his form and confidence ahead of Wednesday's league trip to St. Mirren.

“I am slowly but surely gaining my confidence and getting my form back,” he added. “It has been clear from the first day what they really want from me and they are really helping me in training. I ask a lot of questions to know and to grow as a player."

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman admitted that the path to regaining La Liga appears "very difficult" for his charges after dropping more points at home to Eibar on Tuesday. 

The Catalans were held to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou and remain in sixth place, seven points shy of joint-leaders Real and Atletico Madrid. 

Indeed, it could have been an even worse end to a forgettable 2020 for Barca had Ousmane Dembele not swooped to equalise following Kike Garcia's opener, after Martin Braithwaite had missed from the penalty spot. 

Koeman's charges have won just seven of their opening 15 Liga games, their worst start since 2003; and the coach recognises that the title is already disappearing over the horizon. 

"I am realistic, it will be very difficult to be champions," the Dutchman told reporters after the final whistle. 

"Nothing is impossible, but you have to acknowledge the gap. Atletico look very good to me, very strong, they don't concede many goals." 

Tuesday's setback took place without Lionel Messi, who watched from the stands as his team-mates toiled. 

"You cannot say Barca play better without Messi. He is a different player," Koeman admitted, while insisting that his team could have taken all three points against the Basques.

"In general terms we played well. But individual errors cost us the points.

"We deserved to win, we did what was needed. [Eibar] only had one shot on goal. 

"We created chances, but we didn't score the penalty and then a defensive error... we played well, we worked hard and did enough to win, but this is happening to us far too often. 

"In the first half we had problems playing the ball out from the back, we weren't looking for players between the lines... maybe because we were scared of risking too much up front. Once again we played a game with a lot of chances but we didn't convert them.

"If we had gone in front (with the penalty), the team would have been more confident, but you have to put the ball in the net."

Barca return to action in 2021, with their first game of the New Year falling on Sunday away to Huesca.