In his new column, Sky Sports Adam Bate reflects on his weekend in Munich tracking Harry Kane and an evening at Old Trafford on which Manchester Uniteds midfield balance was a concern. Plus, Wolves finishing and Southamptons passing analysed…
For Wolves, it was their highest expected-goals total away from home in a Premier League game for almost two years, but they were unable to punish United. No surprise, perhaps, given that no player in the starting line-up scored more than two goals last season.
Wolves have assembled a talented group, Pedro Neto twisting and turning, Matheus Cunha driving at defences from deep, but Fabio Silva is the only man in the squad who might be called a natural finisher. Should O'Neil be concerned about the lack of punch?FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of the match between Manchester United and Wolves
Putting that question to him in the press conference after the game, he appeared optimistic."Not at this moment," replied O'Neil."If I have been here a while and we have had 23 shots every game and we still have not scored then I will start to be concerned. "I see players with real quality, see players that are capable. It is my job to keep getting them to arrive, my job to work with them on being more clinical. I am sure they will show what good players they are and we will score enough goals to be successful."The biggest encouragement for O'Neil will have been how engaged his players appeared. He had noted the negative noises, the talk of relegation.
The numbers highlight the change. Wolves made 191 high-intensity sprints at Old Trafford, the most of any Premier League team on the opening weekend. Their highest total in any game last season was 164 - ranking among the bottom three teams for sprints overall.If O'Neil can maintain that high tempo and his team can continue to create chances, supporters will respond and the players will surely be rewarded eventually.
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