The BBC pundit will be broadcasting live from Molineux as part of the Match of the Day team this Saturday night as Wolves and United battle for a place at Wembley.
Ahead of the match, ‘Wrighty’ spoke exclusively to wolves.co.uk on what he expects from the game as well as giving his thoughts on fellow forward Raul Jimenez.
Wolves are hoping to reach their first FA Cup semi-final for 21 years on Saturday, how do you see Nuno’s side faring against Manchester United?
“I wouldn’t expect them to change the way they play, because Wolves play a very offensive game of football. They’re going to try and go for it and I’m sure the manager is going to find weaknesses.
“I thought they played very well against Chelsea in the way that they were organised defensively, and on the counter-attack they really punished Chelsea, so I think they should go in the same way against Man United.
“Man United have got some offensive players who can cause problems, but I don’t think Wolves should go into that game fearing them, they should go into it with confidence high because it’s a free hit for them.
“People may expect Wolves to lose against Man United, simply because it’s Man United, but I’m sure United won’t be thinking like that, they will not be taking Wolves for granted.
“But at the same time, Wolves are a dangerous side and it’s an FA Cup tie. It’s all about moments. It all comes down to moments in the FA Cup and Wolves will hopefully have more than Man United on the day.”
Raul Jimenez has scored six goals in his last seven league matches, his goal against Chelsea put him as Wolves’ joint single Premier League season top scorer. As a striker yourself, did you expect him to make such a seamless transition into English football?
“Being a top striker, and being a new forward in the Premier League, all depends on the service you are getting.
“If you’re getting the service he has been getting at Wolves, from Doherty, Jota, Neves, Moutinho, from Gibbs-White – who’s been very impressive – from all of the guys, they make a lot of chances.
“If you’re anything worth your salt, you’re going to get chances and then it’s down to you to take those chances and Jimenez has been taking his chances and scored in very big games for Wolves as well, playing really well.”
How difficult is it being a striker, especially in the Premier League?
“It’s a very difficult position to play. You come up against some of the best defenders in the world, and strikers are judged on the amount of goals that they score.
“It doesn’t matter what you do in regards of link-up play – if you’re not scoring, that’s what people judge you on in the Premier League.
“Jimenez has done brilliantly well as people can see how he scores at this level.”
The second part of our exclusive interview with Ian Wright is coming soon to wolves.co.uk.
