Although admitting Manchester United deserved to win their encounter at Old Trafford, Julen Lopetegui reserved praise for his Wolves players, including debutant goalkeeper Dan Bentley.
The head coach felt falling behind to a mistake of their own making made it a difficult afternoon for Wolves, but despite Bentley pulling out several top saves to keep his side in the game, they were never able to recover from a first-half Anthony Martial goal. But Lopetegui is already looking ahead to finishing the season on a high as Everton are the visitors to Molineux next weekend.
On defeat at Old Trafford
“Obviously, the result was not good for us, but we tried to compete with them. In the context of the match, the first-half, we suffered one goal in one mistake that we had and they didn’t have any more chances.
“In the second-half, we take a risk, we dominate the game and had situations when we could have done better. In the end, it was a pity, we tried, but, in the end, they deserved to win.”
On chasing the game
“The match was balanced in the first-half and they didn’t have any clear chances, so it was a pity for the goal of them. It was one mistake from us and we jumped in the bad moment to make the press.
“After that goal, it was more difficult and we had to take more risks. It was the only chance they had in the first-half and after, the second half, we had to take more risks and there was a spell of around 20 minutes when we dominated them and had good situations to finish better.
“Maybe in the last part of the match we didn’t have the killer feeling and we have to finish better. In this moment, when you take advantage against a team like Manchester United, they have clear chances from the counter-attack and Dan [Bentley] has had to make very good saves.
“But I think throughout the match they didn’t have very clear chances but we didn’t have many clear chances either. We had one with Hee Chan and it was a pity that he didn’t take advantage in a one-on-one situation, so I think we can do better.”
On Dan Bentley’s debut
“It was his first match in the Premier League so congratulations to him. He’s worked very hard to have this chance, he’s worked very hard to help us and he has played very well.
“He deserved this selection and I was very safe in knowing that he was going to do this good game that he has shown.
“I think he played a very good match, he was very calm and made several good saves, so we are very happy for him.”
On away form
“We don’t think about whether we are away or home. Each match we try to win and sometimes each match is very difficult, but we are going to try in the next one.
“Today we have tried. I don’t have anything to say about the attitude of the players. We played against a very good team who have different aims than us, but now we have to put the focus to play against Everton at home.”
On two games remaining
“The most important thing on our part is to remember where we were five months ago and where we are now.
“It’s an incredible success for us and of course we want to finish the season well and in the best way we can, we want to compete until the end.”
