Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Wolves vs Manchester United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side look to build on their impressive 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea last weekend.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side’s spectacular 4-0 win over Chelsea to start their campaign, Eric Bailly is the only longstanding absentee through injury.
Daniel James replaced Andreas Pereira in that victory and the exciting 21-year-old winger may well be in line to make his full debut, after Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka both impressed in defence at Old Trafford last weekend.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo may wait to give a full debut to new striker Patrick Cutrone. The former AC Milan forward came off the bench in the club’s dour 0-0 draw with Leicester but the manager may opt for a more trusted eleven against imposing opposition.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not concerned about Paul Pogba's future after the Man United midfielder suggested there remains a 'question mark' over his future.
“You always put question marks around Paul," Solskjaer said.
“I don't think it’s odd saying I enjoy playing, I have fun with my team-mates, I enjoy what I'm doing, I love my job and enjoy the game.
“Of course that sentence with the question mark about him, there's always question marks about Paul. There's not one press conference that I've not answered a question about Paul Pogba.
“80 per cent of what he said was that he enjoyed that game and his time here. [The other 20 per cent] is the question mark.
“Is he questioning you or are you putting question marks on him? I've got absolutely no concerns on Paul.”
Diogo Jota is excited to face Man United again after scoring in two matches at Molineux against the Red Devils last season.
“It’s a new season so they’ve had more time to work with the players. They made their own changes, every team in the transfer market tried to improve their team, and we have to understand we’re going to face a big team and it’s going to be hard," Jota told Wolves' official site.
“It’s our job. When you play it’s 11 against 11, even if they have more quality on paper, we have to match that with our fans, playing at home with 100 per cent effort, trying to win the match.
“Our fans are always with us, but in that game (against United in the FA Cup) we understood the importance of going to Wembley to them. It made a difference a little bit, but we count on them every game. Monday night they will be here, supporting us.
“This is a new season, so nothing to do with the last one. They are very strong at the moment, with their first result of the season, so I think it’s going to be hard for us. We have to understand the moments of the team and when we can, try to get on the attack and score goals.”
Wolves enjoyed a big win over FC Pyunik in the Europa League last week and captain Conor Coady was impressed by the new faces.
Nuno gave debuts to Jesus Vallejo and Max Kilman, with Coady singing their praises.
“They were brilliant. We know the quality that Max and Jesus have - Jesus has come in from Real Madrid and you know he's a top, top player, but I think the way they fitted into the shape and the system was the most impressive thing," Coady said.
“Max is a brilliant kid, he really is. He's trained with us for a long time now and he knows how to play the way we want to play. You have to remember that he's a young boy playing at a Premier League club, and he's learning every single day.
“It was important that we helped Jesus, but he's a really clever lad who wants to be here, wants to improve and wants to help us move forward, and I think that's refreshing to see.”
Monday night football is back, then, and it's an intriguing little number to get us going again and close the second Premier League weekend.
Wolves beat Manchester United twice here last season and Nuno Espirito Santo's side is one crafted for such occasions, with strength in transition and an ability to counter while maintaining defensive integrity.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brings a team full of youthful exuberance and high on confidence after the finest of starts to their Premier League campaign.
It almost certainly won't be boring, and we'll have the confirmed team news in rather short order, so let's get this thing going...
That victory over Chelsea was a crucial one for Solskjaer, you feel. Opening day home defeat to potential top-four rivals would have been a far from ideal start and warmed the seat beneath the Norwegian considerably, but the result and manner of victory was significant.
Manchester United remain a side with flaws (the midfield still looks a little suspect and the defence took time to gel) but there was a clear tactical plan and the injection of a pair of fine young English individuals at the back has added steel. Might we see another summer signing start tonight? Daniel James' cameo against Chelsea could force Solskjaer's hand. Rashford, Martial, James - zoom, zoom, zoom!
Wolves have enjoyed their own strong start to the season. While a 0-0 draw against Leicester did not catch the eye, a point at the King Power is not easily procured, and come the sticky end of things this season might just prove crucial in what looks a potentially tantalising race for the Europa League places.
But is the continental conquests that will have Nuno smiling, with the job very much done against Pyunik with an 8-0 aggregate victory. Torino are up next in the Europa League, which is trickier on paper, and squad management may become an issue - the Portuguese manager has tended to favour a thinner squad and you wonder if further European travels may prove detrimental.
Still, they are a side in with a settled, maturing squad. As they make their home 2019/20 Premier League bow, Wolves will be fancying themselves this evening.
A sole change for Manchester United, but an exciting one - out goes Andreas Pereira, in comes Daniel James for a first Premier League start for the club. A slight formational tweak, perhaps, but that front four is fun with a capital F.
You just wonder if, with those changes, Manchester United might just be caught a touch short in midfield tonight.
Wolves boast a mighty fine trio with a blend of skills. Leander Dendoncker's emergence as a floating destroyer in the second half of last season added an edge to the silkiness of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, and the visitors look a little under-manned, with Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba not perhaps naturally diligent midfielders.
Manchester United may look to exploit the channels alongside the Wolves back three with the pace of Daniel James and Marcus Rashford.
Matt Doherty and Jonny are solid operators on either flank but if they are invited forward by a deeper-set Manchester United 4-2-3-1 then they might just leave Ryan Bennett and Willy Boly a touch exposed.
Rashford and James both have the acceleration to gobble up such opportunities.
By the way, a win tonight would take Manchester United top of the Premier League regardless of margin. The season may be very much in its infancy, but it's nicer to be top than bottom at any time of year.
Tammy Abraham gave Harry Maguire a few early problems on his Manchester United debut, yes, but it was a largely blemish-free performance for the former Leicester man as Chelsea largely failed to cohesively threaten through the middle. You suspect it might be a tougher night this evening, with Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez one of the better front twos in the league.
The duo evolved into a wonderful partnership last season, receptive to each other's strengths, and both movers who challenge and stretch defences in different ways. It is worth remembering that Maguire has not long been at Manchester United and with Aaron Wan-Bissaka also new to the back four, Jota and Jimenez might find some joy as the new colleagues continue to find their footing as a collective.
