Football news - Moutinho denies Mourinho as stunner helps Wolves nick point at Manchester United

Manchester United dropped points at home to Wolves as a lovely strike from Joao Moutinho saw the promoted club come from behind to draw 1-1.

The Red Devils had to withstand some heavy pressure from the visitors early on and had David De Gea to thank for keeping the scores level, but the hosts made the breakthrough against the run of play through Fred's shot from the edge of the box after 18 minutes.

The hosts, who made four changes to the side that beat Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday, then began to exert control and went close to a second on the stroke of half-time when Fred's curling free-kick was well saved by Rui Patricio.

It was United who made the brighter start to the second period but Wolves hit them with a sucker-punch, Moutinho scoring his first goal in English football with a lovely curled effort from the edge of the box on 53 minutes.

United huffed and puffed without creating any real chances to win the game and they had to settle for a home draw which leaves them in fifth place, already eight points behind leaders Liverpool. Wolves remain 10th having garnered nine points from six games.

Another frustrating day at the office for Mourinho: Sir Alex Ferguson returned to Old Trafford for the first time since suffering a brain haemorrhage in May, but United failed to put on a show for their old boss. They made a dreadful start, and then failed to capitalise on their good fortune after taking an undeserved lead. Mourinho is sticking with an unsettled defence, the form of Alexis Sanchez continues to baffle everyone and Romelu Lukaku can't find any consistency. With six games gone, it already feels like they are out of the title race.

Joao Moutinho (Wolves): In a rolls royce performance, the Portugal international never gave away possession, linked midfield with attack and scored that stunning goal to equalise for his team. He is quickly adapting to English football.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Lindelof 5, Smalling 5, Shaw 6, Valencia 5, Fred 7, Lingard 6, Fellaini 6, Pogba 6, Sanchez 4, Lukaku 4. Subs: Mata 5, Martial 5, Pereira 5.

Wolves: Patricio 7, Doherty 6, Bennett 6, Boly 7, Jonny 7, Coady 7, Neves 7, Jota, Moutinho 8, Costa 7, Jimenez 7. Subs: Gibbs-White N/A, Saiss 5, Traore 6.

7' - SAVE! And an excellent one too from De Gea. The United no 1 has to be alert to keep out Jimenez's powerful low-struck effort from inside the box after the hosts failed to clear a cross.

18' - GOAL! Man United 1-0 Wolves. A quality strike from Fred who bags his first goal in United colours! It's a goal against the run of play from a player who has struggled to make an impact on the game, until now. A fantastic touch from Pogba on the edge of the box sets the Brazilian up to shoot and he makes no mistake, drilling the ball into the bottom corner.

45'+ 2 - GREAT SAVE! Sanchez is fouled in a position not far from where he wasted a free-kick just a few moments ago. Up steps Fred to take it... and his curling effort almost sneaks into the bottom corner but Patricio is at full-stretch to palm it behind.

53' - GOAL! Man United 1-1 Wolves. A superbly taken goal from Moutinho levels the scores! Costa does well to keep the ball in and deliver a cross which picks out Jimenez. He tees up Moutinho who has an awful lot to do but he nonchalantly curls it into the top corner from the edge of the box.

64' - SAVES! Jota creates room for a shot but it's comfortable enough for De Gea who gets down to smother it. And then, at the other end, Lingard smacks one from distance and Patricio does well to tip it over the bar.

Joao Moutinho scored his first goal in 28 league games since netting against PSG in November 2017.

Fred is the 500th different player to score a competitive goal for Man Utd (excluding own-goals).