Man United vs Wolves | U23 Match preview

Wolves under-23s know a win against Manchester United on Friday night would all but secure the Premier League 2 Division 2 title and automatic promotion to the top flight of development football.

Rob Edwards’ side – who currently sit top of the league table – face their final match of the season at Leigh Sports Village with just goal difference separating themselves from Reading and Southampton.

However, if Wolves win, their superior record means their title challengers will need to win their final matches, as well as score almost 10 goals more than Wanderers to topple them from the summit.

It won’t be plain sailing for Wolves though, with Manchester United in high spirits, and are coming into the game off the back of a 5-0 demolition of title chasers Newcastle United, but Edwards’ side have already tasted victory over the Red Devils this season, in a 2-1 scoreline at Molineux in October.

WHEN

Friday 7pm

WHERE

Leigh Sports Village, Greater Manchester

LAST THREE

Wolves

2-1 v Stoke City (H)

0-1 v Aston Villa (A)

0-2 v Newcastle United (A)

United

5-0 v Newcastle United (A)

1-1 v West Bromwich Albion (H)

1-1 v Sunderland (A)

WHAT THE BOSS THINKS

On preparing for the final game of the season

“We know what’s at stake but it’s important we try and treat it like any other game, but at the same time knowing it’s not like any other game. It’s almost a bit of a cup final. We know the situation that if we do get the win and we do get the three points.

“It’s good for the lads at this stage of their careers, because we want them to learn how to win games and deal with pressure and this will be a higher-pressure game.”

On facing United

“You couldn’t have asked for a better tie to go into your final game than Manchester United away. They’ve got some wonderful individuals, some really good players, some players who’ve had first-team experience this season – a little bit more so under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in recent months.

“We know the task at hand, but at the same time our players have got to be confident – they’re top of the league for a reason, and that’s because they’ve been consistently good all season long.

“We’ve got to go there with confidence while respecting the opposition, because we know it’s going to be a real challenge.”

On message to his players

“We’ve got to make sure we give everything. The messages are now to stick together, it’s focus, work hard, stick to the game plan, and if the performance is right, everything else will come off the back of that.

“Don’t leave anything out there. Don’t come off that pitch thinking what if, or I could have done a little bit more – that’s going to be the key message.”

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