Wolves’ trip to Old Trafford this weekend to face Manchester United is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing Premier League fixtures. The two teams come into the match in contrasting forms, with Wolves riding a wave of confidence after a fantastic run of results, while Manchester United find themselves struggling to find consistency and focus under Erik ten Hag.

For Wolves, things have truly turned around under the stewardship of Vitor Pereira. Since taking over, he’s injected a much-needed sense of belief and tactical structure into a team that was floundering earlier in the season. His methods seem to be paying dividends, with the team now on a remarkable four-match winning streak in the Premier League—their longest winning run this season. They’ve been scoring goals for fun, particularly in their 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, a match that really showcased their attacking prowess.

While Spurs’ defensive errors played a part in the scoreline, Wolves were ruthless in taking advantage of those mistakes. The standout performer for Wolves in that game was Jorgen Strand Larsen. The Norwegian striker, who’s been in sensational form, continued his incredible goalscoring run, netting his fifth goal in four games. His ability to find space in the box and finish with composure has made him one of the league’s most in-form strikers at the moment. He’s become an indispensable part of this Wolves attack, and he’ll be looking to keep that streak going against a United defence that, quite frankly, has been far from solid this season.

Beyond Strand Larsen, the entire team is functioning at a high level. The midfield is playing with intensity and intelligence, while the defence has looked more assured in recent weeks. Even when Spurs scored two goals in that 4-2 thriller, it was a game full of chaos, but Wolves responded well. They’ve been looking like a more balanced side overall, something that wasn’t always the case earlier in the campaign. Pereira has worked wonders in getting the most out of his squad, and there’s a sense of optimism around Molineux that wasn’t there before.

One of the keys to Wolves’ success has been their ability to press high and play an energetic, pressing game that catches teams off-guard. It’s a style that works well against teams like Spurs, who are often prone to making mistakes at the back. But United are a different proposition. Though they’ve been inconsistent under ten Hag, they still have plenty of quality in their ranks, and they’re always a threat going forward. But the question is: will they be able to match Wolves’ intensity and tactical discipline, especially with all eyes on their upcoming Europa League clash with Lyon?

United’s situation is, in many ways, a reflection of their broader struggles this season. Despite having a squad full of talent, their performances have been patchy at best, especially in the league. Their 2-0 loss to Newcastle highlighted many of the issues plaguing them: a lack of creativity, poor defensive decisions, and an overall lack of cohesion. Ten Hag is still trying to find the right formula to get the best out of his players, and it seems like every time they take a step forward, they take two steps back. With crucial Europa League duties taking priority, it’s hard to see how they can afford to take Wolves lightly. Their focus will undoubtedly be on securing their place in the Champions League by winning the Europa League, and they might not be fully switched on for this Premier League fixture as a result.

Paul Merson, in his prediction for the match, suggests that a draw will be the outcome of this game. He highlights the fact that Manchester United have been poor recently, while Wolves are in red-hot form and have the momentum on their side. Merson points out that Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian forward who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, may see this match as an important audition. If Cunha can put in a strong performance, it might only increase his chances of making a move to Old Trafford. The fact that he’s already been so influential in Wolves’ attack is testament to how much of a threat he is, and if he gets the right service, he could cause problems for United’s backline.

Merson’s prediction of a draw also reflects United’s current situation—while they may have the talent to get the result, their recent form and the distractions of European football mean that Wolves could exploit their vulnerabilities. Wolves have been incredibly solid under Pereira, and their ability to attack at pace and create chances from wide areas is something United will have to be wary of. If United’s defence continues to be leaky and their midfield continues to lack control and creativity, Wolves could certainly come away with something from Old Trafford.

One of the interesting aspects of this fixture is that United are likely to be fatigued, especially with a tough Europa League match looming just around the corner. If they rotate their squad or make changes to rest key players, Wolves may find themselves with an even greater opportunity to capitalize on United’s weaknesses. If Bellegarde and Doherty are fit and ready to play, Pereira will likely stick with the same lineup that has been so successful in recent weeks, which would allow them to maintain their rhythm and momentum. Wolves’ confidence is sky-high right now, and that kind of self-belief can be a game-changer when facing teams like Manchester United.

Looking at the head-to-head record between the two clubs, Manchester United have historically been the dominant force. Out of the 114 meetings between these teams, United have won 56 times, while Wolves have won 38, with 20 draws. However, Wolves did get the better of United in the reverse fixture earlier this season, winning 2-0 at Molineux in what was one of Pereira’s first games in charge. That victory was a major statement for Wolves, and it shows that they’re more than capable of taking on United and coming out on top, especially when they play to their strengths.

While United have the pedigree and the bigger names, it’s clear that Wolves are in much better form right now. United’s focus may be elsewhere, and their energy could be drained by their European commitments, leaving them vulnerable to a team in red-hot form like Wolves.

In conclusion, this game offers Wolves a fantastic opportunity to make a statement against one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. They’ve got the momentum, they’ve got the quality, and they’ve got the belief. If they can continue their impressive run and keep their defensive structure intact while exploiting United’s weaknesses, they could very well walk away with all three points. Even a draw would be a positive result, but given the way they’ve been playing, there’s no reason why they can’t secure another famous win at Old Trafford.

The battle between these two teams promises to be an exciting one, and it’s one that could shape the future trajectory of both clubs’ seasons. Will Manchester United find their way back to form, or will Wolves continue their march up the table? This match could be the perfect opportunity for Pereira’s men to make yet another statement.