Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. and Manchester United are two of the most iconic football clubs in England. They have a long-standing rivalry that goes back decades, and whenever they meet on the pitch, there’s always an intense atmosphere. The teams have played each other many times over the years, and the stats between the two clubs make for interesting reading.
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., or simply Wolves, is a football club based in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. The club was founded in 1877, and it has a rich history that includes three league titles and four FA Cup wins. Wolves play their home games at Molineux Stadium, which has a capacity of over 32,000 spectators.
The club has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with new owners and a new manager in Nuno Espirito Santo. Since the Portuguese manager took over in 2017, Wolves have enjoyed tremendous success, including promotion to the Premier League in 2018 and reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2019-20.
Manchester United is one of the most successful football clubs in the world. The club was founded in 1878 and has won a record 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, and three European Cups. United play their home games at Old Trafford, which has a capacity of over 74,000 spectators.
The club has had a storied history, with some of the game’s greatest players, including George Best, Eric Cantona, and Cristiano Ronaldo, donning the famous red jersey. Under the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, winning 13 league titles and two Champions League trophies.
Wolves and United have played each other 103 times in all competitions. United have the edge in the head-to-head stats, with 49 wins to Wolves’ 34, and 20 draws. The two teams first met in the FA Cup in 1896, with Wolves winning 1-0. The clubs have met in the league, FA Cup, and League Cup, as well as in European competitions.
In recent years, Wolves have had the better of United, winning three of their last five meetings. In the 2018-19 season, Wolves beat United twice at Molineux, in the FA Cup quarter-finals and in the Premier League. The following season, they drew 1-1 at Old Trafford, with United snatching a late equalizer through a Diogo Dalot shot.
The all-time top scorer in fixtures between Wolves and United is George Best, who scored seven goals in six appearances. Other United legends on the list include Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, who both scored four goals against Wolves.
For Wolves, the top scorer in fixtures against United is Steve Bull, who scored four goals in 13 appearances. The current Wolves squad does not have a player with an impressive record against United, but the likes of Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore will be hoping to change that in the upcoming fixtures.
In the 2019-20 season, Wolves finished seventh in the Premier League, just one point behind United, who finished sixth. Wolves enjoyed a solid season, with some impressive victories over the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal.
United had a mixed season, with some inconsistent performances in the league. However, they finished strongly, with a 14-game unbeaten run that secured their place in the Europa League for the following season.