Wolves were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford, in what was a hugely frustrating night for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
There was to be no return to winning ways and no following up the encouraging second half showing against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend – with Marcus Rashford scoring a deflected injury-time winner to break Wolves hearts.
Nuno rung the changes following a quick turnaround, with Vitinha and Ki-Jana Hoever coming in for their full debuts.
Wolves were great in the first-half and had a number of chances – Pedro Neto and Romain Saiss going close.
But they just couldn’t find a way through United’s stubborn backline in the second 45, with Raul Jimenez’s presence really being missed.
Adama Traore was lively but ultimately no real threat playing through the middle at times.
Wolves thoroughly deserved a point at least, but Rashford popped up with just minutes to go to score via a deflection off Saiss, who was superb all night.
The showing will certainly increase the clamour for a new target man to be brought in in January.
Dismayed Wolves fans on social media made sure to reservedpraise for £13.5 million signing Hoever (BBC Sport), who was drafted in to give Nelson Semedo a rest.
The Dutchman gave a great account of himself dealing with eventual match-winner Rashford, and might just have given Nuno something to think about with Semedo having not been in the best form of late.
Really good team performance so far. Impressed with the youngsters, especially Hoever. Just crying out for a front man #wwfc
— David Renouf (@LTCwolf) December 29, 2020
hoever is seriously challenging semedo for me after tonight
— brad (@wwfc_brad_) December 29, 2020
Hoever *chefs kiss* 👏👏👏 #wwfc
— Tom 🐺 (@Kumpi3) December 29, 2020
hoever is top class
— Matty (@wwfcMatty_) December 29, 2020
Hoever is having a cracking a game #wwfc
— Karl (@ZionistWolf) December 29, 2020
Hoever is playing well tbf
— pom🇵🇹 (@portopom) December 29, 2020
Ait Nouri and Hoever have been terrific, Max Kilman looks a find aswell.
— Rowly (@ThisIsRowly) December 29, 2020
Hoever has impressed me so far
— Dave Parsons 🐺 (@DaveWolves105) December 29, 2020
Ki Jana-Hoever has been so good
— Davíd🏂 (@Dxvydd) December 29, 2020
Hoever’s going to have Semedo on loan at Galatasaray within 18 months #wwfc
— Tom Cooper (@TomCwwfc) December 29, 2020
Had enough chances that we didn’t take. Defence was largely excellent. Saiss, Hoever and Vitinha were excellent. Would like the same defence play on Saturday with Silva starting and Vitinha to keep his place. Adama unfortunately isn’t doing enough right now. #wwfc
— Bradley Parker (@parker_bradley) December 29, 2020
Add a couple to that, of cause primarily a striker will be ok. Hoever, Ait-nouri excellent. Right balance at the back. #WWFC
— Hoops (@RyHoops83) December 29, 2020