Matheus Cunha will no doubt be one of the big stories when Wolves play Manchester United, but there was a time when the Old Gold snapped up a player from the Red Devils.
The return of the Brazilian will have fans talking, and the good news for Wolves is that Man United fans have now criticised Cunha after his poor start to the season.
Since the Premier League era began, there have not been many others that have worn the red of Manchester and the old gold of Wolves.
In fact, there have only been eight players to achieve that feat since 1992.
Matheus Cunha played for Wolves and Manchester United, and so has another current player at one of these clubs. Do you know who?
In total, eight players have played for Wolves and Manchester United since 1992. How many can you name? Let’s see who has the best ball knowledge. 💪
One of the bigger crossovers happened when Wolves were in the Championship, when they signed a seven-time Premier League and one-time Champions League winner.
And that signing was instrumental in ending a 21-season wait for promotion to the top flight.
Wolves signed Denis Irwin in 2002, and he guided them back to the top flight
In 2002, Wolves completed the free signing of Manchester United and Premier League legend Denis Irwin.
The defender had become known for his versatility in defence and his crossing ability. Even at the age of 36, signing him was a real coup.
Efforts to bring him to Molineux were certainly helped by the Irishman supporting the Old Gold as a kid.
In 2020 (via Wolves), Irwin said, “When I was growing up, I played for a team in Cork and a friend and I just started supporting Wolves in the John Richards era.”
With the Wanderers in the second tier, the arrival and experience of the full-back helped them finally achieve promotion to the Premier League.
In that season, Irwin started 43 games, only missing three matches. He scored twice, but his winning mentality, which he brought with him, was an invaluable trait.
Under manager Dave Jones, the Molineux side finished in 5th place, but that would secure them a spot in the Championship play-offs.
The Irishman’s previous experience in major finals would be of major benefit, and the Old Gold secured promotion after beating Reading in the semis (3-1 agg) and then Sheffield United in the final (3-0).
After a season in the Premier League, where Wolves would go back down, Irwin retired from football as a Wanderer.
- READ MORE: More at stake for Wolves against Manchester United as unwelcome club record now on the line
THROWBACK: On December 4th in 2019, Wolves were 10 games unbeaten and sat in fifth position in the Premier League under Nuno 📈
What do you put Wolves’ demise down to over the years?😅
Wolves need a Denis Irwin-type figure to step up
Right now, the type of figure that Denis Irwin was is sorely missing from Rob Edwards’s squad.
The Old Gold are lacking proper leadership, a lot of experience, and that winning mentality that he provided.
Besides Matt Doherty being Irish and playing in the same position, he is perhaps the closest player to being that.
Doherty has been through it all with Wolves. He has been in League One, he has been in the Championship, he has experienced promotion, he has experienced European football at Molineux, and he needs to use that experience to his advantage.
Injury has meant he has not been able to have an impact, but with him now back, after being named on the bench against Nottingham Forest, he must step up as a member of the leadership group.
Receive a digest of our best Wolverhampton Wanderers content each week direct to your mailbox
Join the fan conversation
