Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s good fortune wasn’t going to last forever and it deserted him on a wintry night at Molineux as his Manchester United side slipped to a third defeat in four games.
The Norwegian’s honeymoon period is over, the realisation that too many of his players are not top class again apparent.
He remains positive, enthused and he might yet save this season with a top-four finish which appeared implausible in December, but if United don’t find form soon they're going to be back near where they started when Solskjaer took over in December.
Solskjaer admitted that his team needs 15 points from their final six league games to finish in the top four.
Barcelona, United’s next opponents in an Uefa Champions League quarter final on April 10, will have had little to worry about as they witnessed another soft performance from the side who fare badly against promoted Wolves.
In their three games against United this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have won two and drawn one – the latter a September game at Old Trafford when they were superior in a 1-1 result.
There was little surprise then that Molineux’s South Bank hollered ‘Can we play you every week?’ towards the away fans after Chris Smalling put the ball into his own goal after 77 minutes to give Wolves the lead.
That is when they weren’t singing about this weekend’s trip to Wembley – which came at United’s expense two weeks ago.
With United down to 10 men after Ashley Young, who had started well in central defence, was sent off for a reckless challenge on Diogo Jota after 57 minutes, it was a black night in the Black Country.
United are now officially the dirtiest team in the league with another five cards picked up in a 19-minute period.
It’s turning into an uncomfortable run and even in the game they narrowly won on Saturday against Watford, Solskjaer’s side were far from impressive.
With important matches against Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea this month, Solskjaer’s stars need to shine.
The manager was happy with his side’s performance “up to 75 minutes” but big names are palpably failing to deliver.
Paul Pogba, so good in the first two months under the Norwegian, was again poor as he gave the ball away too many times and argued with Romelu Lukaku.
Having made six changes from Saturday, United began promisingly, too, dominating the early exchanges and creating clear chances.
Even by the end they had 18 shots to Wolves’ four and it was from those early efforts that they were rewarded when they went ahead after 13 minutes thanks to Scott McTominay’s first senior goal, a low strike from outside the area which zipped across Patricio’s goal into the corner. Playing in a more advanced midfield role, the Scot looked effective.
Wolves, safe in seventh even with one win in their last six Premier League games, could have been forgiven for having one eye on Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Watford as they go in search of a first major trophy since 1980.
Instead, they played a strong line-up, but were initially out thought on a slick pitch with Diogo Dalot crossing towards Lukaku after five minutes.
The Belgian should have scored but headed the ball straight towards the excellent Rui Patricio.
Jesse Lingard spurned another fine chance as United should have been three up.
Then Fred gave the ball away after 24 minutes. That error, which came after David de Gea passed to him in space, changed the game.
The Brazilian was dispossessed and Wolves have the quality to punish such errors. Diogo Jota, a permanent nuisance at Old Trafford in September, was on hand to do so.
United’s energy dissipated and again they struggled in midfield. They briefly rallied at half time and McTominay saw a powerful header saved, but endeavour can only take a team so far. And recklessness, such as Young’s tackle on Jota, can cost dearly. That was his second card in five minutes.
Needing a win, United switched to a 3-3-2-1 formation and they sent three defenders up for corners but they always looked vulnerable and Wolves could smell blood.
All but the 3,000 travelling fans in the 31,302 were delighted to see Smalling’s own goal, to see United beaten again.
“I’m pleased with the performance and to do it twice against such a difficult and amazing team,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, delivering a compliment which his visitors scarcely deserved.
“We played well enough tonight and created enough chances to win the game,” said Solskjaer.
Perhaps, but the wins that marked his early reign have turned into defeats.
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
More coverage from the Future Forum
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
