Bruno Lage: How my Wolves team won at Old Trafford

Bruno Lage succeeded Nuno Espírito Santo as the manager of Wolves in the summer of 2021, and in his only full season at the club led them to 10th place in the Premier League. More than half of their 15 league wins that season came away from home, with the likes of Aston Villa, Brighton and Tottenham all defeated on the road.

The headline result of the season came at Old Trafford, however, where Lage masterminded a first Wolves win over Manchester United in more than 40 years. It was also the first of three consecutive Premier League wins that saw Lage named Manager of the Month for January 2022. In this exclusive Masterclass on the Coaches’ Voice tactics board, the Portuguese coach details the tactical approach that enabled his team to secure a fully deserved three points, and inflict a first defeat for Ralf Rangnick as United boss.

Out of possession, Lage explains his plan to limit the threat of United’s dangerous and wily front two of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani, with a particular focus on the different pressing tactics depending on which side of the pitch the hosts attacked.

In possession, he details the importance of his double pivot – Rúben Neves and João Moutinho – in his ambition to keep the ball for long periods and frustrate the home fans. He also discusses the role of the wing-backs and inside wingers when attacking United’s two banks of four, and the key late change that contributed to Moutinho’s late winner (above).

It’s another great session with a respected European coach. We hope you enjoy it!

Starting line-ups

Manchester UnitedWolves

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Manchester United4-4-2

Wolves3-4-3

1David de Gea

1José Sá

23Luke Shaw

23Max Kilman

19Raphaël Varane

16Conor Coady

4Phil Jones

27Roman Saïss

29Aaron Wan-Bissaka

22Nélson Semedo

25Jadon Sancho

8Rúben Neves

31Nemanja Matic

28João Moutinho

39Scott McTominay

5Marçal

11Mason Greenwood

11Francisco Trincão

7Cristiano Ronaldo

9Raúl Jiménez

21Edinson Cavani

10Daniel Podence

Author: The Coaches' Voice