Man United vs Wolves live score, updates, highlights from Premier League season opener as Garnacho starts

The final fixture of the Premier League’s opening matchday takes the pitch on Monday as Manchester United host Wolves at Old Trafford.

It’s a big season for Erik ten Hag, who spent big in the summer transfer window and now must sort out a consistent starting lineup, something he struggled to do last season amidst lots of squad turmoil.

Man United finished last season strong, rising to an eventual third-place finish, but they’ll want more, hoping to push Man City and Arsenal in the title race.

Wolves, meanwhile, are a popular pick amongst relegation candidates this season. They finished 13th last term, rescuing a relegation-worthy first half, but they lost a number of key players this summer, including Ruben Neves who departed for Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

The Sporting News is following the Man United vs Wolves match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Man United vs Wolves live score

Starting lineups:

Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Onana (GK) — 29. Wan-Bissaka, 19. Varane, 6. L. Martinez, 23. Shaw — 18. Casemiro, 7. Mount — 21. Antony, 8. Fernandes, 49. Garnacho — 10. Rashford.

Wolves (4-4-1-1, right to left): 1. Sa (GK) — 22. Semedo, 15. Dawson, 23. Kilman, 3. Ait-Nouri — 27. Nunes, 5. Lemina, 35. Gomes, 7. Neto — 21. Sarabia — 12. Cunha.

Man United vs Wolves live updates, highlights, commentary

15 mins to kick: Sir Alex Ferguson graced the set of NBC Sports for the U.S. broadcast, and identified Erik ten Hag’s influence over the squad and club as a positive for the club moving forward, which is quite the vote of confidence for the current boss.

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 14, 2023

30 mins to kick: Manchester United fans refuse to relent in the battle against the Glazer ownership of the club. They’re out protesting in full force as the new season gets under way.

Manchester United fans have been protesting against the club’s ownership ahead of their Premier League game against Wolves. #MUNWOL | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/RUNDl8Nyqf

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 14, 2023

45 mins to kick: Erik ten Hag told Sky Sports before tonight’s game that Man United’s goal this season is to take last season’s results and use them as a springboard. “We have laid a foundation, and now we have to raise the bar,” ten Hag said.

It still feels like there may be a bit of a gap between United and their rivals Man City, but they can use today’s match to show they are for real and can threaten in the title race. They’ll need a convincing victory to give that impression.

Watch in UK:

“We have laid a foundation, now we have to raise the bar!”

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag discusses new signings Mason Mount and André Onana, as well as what he expects from Marcus Rashford and Antony this season 🔴 pic.twitter.com/JmhIIQS4QM

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 14, 2023

1 hour to kick: Lineups are in, and as expected, it’s Alejandro Garnacho to start on the left for Manchester United, with Jadon Sancho on the bench. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also handed a start at right-back, with Diogo Dalot left out.

For Wolves, Rayan Ait-Nouri is preferred to Hugo Bueno at left-back, while Joao Gomes is chosen in midfield at the expense of young Joe Hodge and new arrival Boubacar Traore. Matheus Cunha proves fit to start as expected.

📋 Erik’s Reds to kickstart our 2023/24 @PremierLeague season! 👊#MUFC || #MUNWOL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2023

1 hour 15 mins to kick: For Wolves, today’s season opener represents a significant test given the turmoil from this offseason, but also a real opportunity. One positive result here can, for a time at least, deliver a reprieve from the trepidation that many fans have over the coming campaign.

Between the departure of Ruben Neves and Raul Jimenez, the transfer struggles, the sudden exit for Julien Lopetegui, and the hurried arrival of Gary O’Neill, there’s a lot to give fans pause. One early result, however, can shift the tone considerably.

🗣 “The timing from everyone’s point of view I think is an absolute disaster.” ❌@danbardell believes Wolves could potentially be in a relegation battle in the coming season pic.twitter.com/L8tKuu51kk

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 9, 2023

1 hour 30 mins to kick: There is a growing belief amongst Man United reporters on social media that Alejandro Garnacho showed enough in preseason that he has earned an opening day start today at Old Trafford, ahead of Jadon Sancho.

It’s a sign that Sancho has yet to earn his place in Manchester, but is also a nod to Garnacho for his performances not only this summer, but last year prior to his ankle injury. The young Argentine has been extremely bright for United and will get a chance to help cover for the injury miss for Rasmus Hojlund, with Marcus Rashford up front.

Would think Ten Hag’s team against Wolves tonight will be pretty similar to the one he picked against RC Lens. Garnacho deserves to stay in. Only real decision is Wan-Bissaka or Dalot at right-back.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) August 14, 2023

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Something for Erik ten Hag to keep in mind as the new season begins is the new rule for coaches in the technical area. The Premier League has informed clubs that referees will only allow one coach in the technical area at a time, and will be cracking down on those who do not follow suit.

Jurgen Klopp made light of the situation on Sunday, jokingly saying only Newcastle will have issue with the rule, but in truth ten Hag was also one to bring his assistants Steve McClaren and Mitchell van der Gaag into the technical area at times so he will have to be aware of the change.

Jurgen Klopp on the new PL rule where only one coach can be in the technical area at any one time: “I think it is only a problem for one team: Newcastle. Sorry!” #nufc #Newcastle

— Alfonso Leocádio (@alfonso_leocad) August 13, 2023

2 hours to kickoff: Manchester United fans will have to wait a little longer for a look at new striker signing Rasmus Hojlund, who arrived at Man United with a slight back injury. Erik ten Hag warned it will “likely be a few weeks before we see him with his boots on” due to a preseason injury he carried over from his former club.

Fellow Denmarkvinternational Christian Eriksen played a role in Hojlund coming to Man United, but laughed that he wasn’t exactly paid for his services!

🎙Eriksen on Hojlund calling him ‘Agent Christian.’

“He hasn’t paid me yet so I don’t know where he gets that ‘agent’ from. I haven’t had any fee yet.” 😂

🇩🇰❤️ pic.twitter.com/CZtHlm356Y

— Sky Sports Premier League (@Sky_SportPL) August 12, 2023

Man United vs Wolves lineups & team news

Erik ten Hag’s biggest call here is to choose between Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho on the left, and he goes with the latter, rewarding the young Argentine for a bright preseason. Garnacho seriously impressed both last season before his ankle injury, and returned to form in this summer’s preseason tour. Ten Hag appears tempted to supplant Garnacho as the first-choice starter until Sancho changes his mind.

A slight back injury for new signing Rasmus Hojlund keeps him sidelined and forces Marcus Rashford to start the year up front. Young talents Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo are both out for some time with long-term injuries picked up in preseason, while Tyrell Malacia misses out with a lingering knee issue.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is preferred to Diogo Dalot at right-back to open the season. Anthony Martial missed all of preseason but is back in full training and makes the bench, as does backup goalkeeper Dean Henderson who shakes off a thigh problem.

Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Varane, L. Martinez, Shaw — Casemiro, Mount — Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho — Rashford.

Man United subs (9): Henderson (GK), Lindelof, Maguire, Dalot, McTominay, Eriksen, Pellistri, Sancho, Martial.

A slight fitness issue faces big-money striker Matheus Cunha prior to this match, but it’s thought he will prove ready to play. Otherwise, there are no injury problems for new manager Gary O’Neill to be concerned with.

Wolves look quite similar to the team that finished last season in 13th position, minus a few recognisable faces. Midfield lynchpin Ruben Neves has departed for Saudi Arabia, while Raul Jimenez sought out a change of scenery at Fulham, as did Conor Coady with Leicester City.

Nelson Semedo is the incumbent at right-back but could face competition from free-transfer addition Matt Doherty who returned from Atletico Madrid. Boubacar Traore was the Neves replacement in the summer window, with the 21-year-old arriving from French side Metz, but he starts on the bench, tabbed with beating out starter Joao Gomes and Irish youth international Joe Hodge.

Wolves starting lineup (4-4-1-1): Sa (GK) — Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri — Nunes, Lemina, Gomes, Neto — Sarabia — Cunha.

Wolves subs (9): Bentley (GK), Toti, Doherty, Bueno, Traore, Hodge, Hwang, Silva, Kalajdzic.

How to watch Man United vs Wolves

UK: The match will be televised on Sky Sports and streamed on the Sky GO platform.

USA: Chelsea vs. Liverpool will be available on television via NBC’s cable channel USA Network, with a Spanish language broadcast available on Universo. Both channels are available via Fubo. The match is also on NBC’s streaming platform Peacock, as well as their Spanish language streaming platforms for Telemundo and Universo.

Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streamed exclusively via Fubo in Canada.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.

India: Star Sports carries the Premier League and this match will be streamed on Hotstar and JioTV. 

Man United vs Wolves betting odds & lines

Manchester United are understandably heavy favourites as they begin their 2023/24 season, at home against a team largely believed to be in the upcoming relegation scrap.

The Red Devils open their Premier League campaign at home for the third straight season, falling to Brighton last season at Old Trafford after having beaten Leeds United and Burnley the two previous years. Wolves began last season with defeat at Leeds, winning just one of their opening 10 league fixtures.