Wolves v Manchester United Preview: Where to Watch, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

The Premier League takes a breather this weekend as the FA Cup rolls into town and Wolves entertain Manchester United ​in the third round on Saturday.

Both sides head into the game off the back of midweek league defeats, the hosts fell 2-1 away at Watford, while Man United were swept aside 2-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have one eye on the Carabao Cup semi-final with neighbours ​Man City on Tuesday but he will be just as keen to bounce back from the defeat to the Gunners.

As for Nuno Espirito Santo's side, the loss to the Hornets would have stung his team and they drew 1-1 at home with United earlier on in the season, so may fancy their chances here. 

It will be an opportunity for both managers to freshen their teams up following the hectic festive schedule and the Molineux match-up has all the makings of a good old fashioned cup tie.

Where to Watch

Team News

Nuno will ring the changes ahead of this one, cup goalkeeper John Ruddy will no doubt take Rui Patricio's place between the sticks.

In defence, starts for reserve centre-backs Max Kilman and Jesús Vallejo are likely to be in the offing, in what could prove to be the latter's last game for ​Wolves before he ​heads back to parent club Real Madrid. 

Further up the pitch, after his goal against ​Watford, Neto should retain his place on the left of the front three, whilst Nuno may opt for Italian striker Patrick Cutrone to spearhead his attack. 

Youngsters Dion Sanderson and Taylor Perry, who started the 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to ​Aston Villa in October may get another opportunity against United.

As for ​Man United, Paul Pogba will once again be missing after Solskjaer revealed the French midfielder will require an operation on his ankle that is set to keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Goalkeeper David De Gea will likely be rested, with Sergio Romero donning the gloves, Ashley Young should start at right-back and young central defender Axel Tuanzebe may also come into the team.

In attack, Spaniard Juan Mata who came off the bench against Arsenal is likely to make the starting eleven and 18-year-old Mason Greenwood will no doubt be given another chance up top.  

Predicted Lineups

Head-to-Head Record

United haven't registered a victory against Wolves since 2012, having failed to beat them in their last four meetings.

The two sides met at Molineux in the FA Cup quarter finals last season and on that occasion Wolves booked their place in the semis with a 2-0 victory.

Goals from Raúl Jimenez and Diogo Jota saw Nuno's men set up a Wembley encounter with Watford.

Unfortunately for those in gold and black, that's where their cup journey ended as they let a two-goal lead slip and were beaten 3-2 by the Hornets in extra time. 

Recent Form

Wolves have lost three of their last five, but in spite of a supposed blip they still occupy seventh in the ​Premier League table and sit only a point behind Saturday's visitors in fifth.

The Watford defeat was disappointing and the 1-0 loss to ​Liverpool was unfortunate but Nuno will want to correct his team's recent run and get back to winning ways.

That said, one of their most recent victories came courtesy of coming back from two goals down to beat reigning champions Man City so it's not exactly a crisis. 

Man United are unpredictable in the extreme, their performance against ​Arsenal in their most recent game left a lot to be desired.

But, prior to the defeat, they had recorded convincing wins away to Burnley and at home to Newcastle during the festive period. 

However, a 2-0 defeat to lowly Watford had preceded that but they have beat both Man City and ​Tottenham in the league this season, it really is a lottery with when it comes to Ole's men. 

Here's how the two sides have fared in their last five games.

Prediction

This is a tough one to call, particularly as both sides are likely to be unrecognisable in personnel from their two most recent games.

United may well see the match as an unwelcome distraction as they prepare for their Carabao Cup clash with Man City on Tuesday.

As for Wolves, it's a chance for Nuno to rotate the squad and perhaps the start of another cup run.

It makes for an intriguing encounter, especially if both managers opt for youth as it could mean a very open game with goals at both ends of the pitch. 

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Manchester United