Paul Pogba penalty miss costs Manchester United a win against Wolves

A penalty miss from Paul Pogba cost Manchester United all three points in an entertaining 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

United took the lead in the first half when Anthony Martial finished off a flowing move, before a delightful strike from Ruben Neves drew the hosts level after the interval.

Pogba had the chance to restore his team’s advantage when he was brought down inside the penalty area by Wolves captain Conor Coady.

But Rui Patricio acrobatically palmed away Pogba’s spot kick, meaning Solskjaer’s men were forced to settle for a point.

United dominated the ball in the opening stages without threatening the Wolves goal.

The first opening of the game arrived after 17 minutes when Marcus Rashford was released down the United left. The England international turned Ryan Bennett inside out before whipping a cross into the box which narrowly evaded Martial.

In the 27th minute, Martial did make the breakthrough. Patient build up play from United was rewarded when Jesse Lingard and Rashford combined to release the Frenchman, who fired a fine left-footed strike high into the net to register his 50th goal for the club.

The 23-year-old has been deployed as a central striker by Solskjaer in the opening two games of the league season, a move which has been rewarded with two goals.

Wolves struggled to handle the visitor’s crisp passing and pace on the counter attack with Rashford and Dan James a constant threat, although the latter’s full Premier League debut was marred by a booking for simulation.

The hosts were let off the hook in the final seconds of the opening period when Martial was unable to bring Bennett’s under-hit back pass under his control.

It was the final action of a half which, despite United’s dominance, produced just three shots on goal.

But an energetic spell from Wolves following the restart paid dividends after 55 minutes. Seconds after Raul Jimenez had rattled the post with a flicked header, midfielder Ruben Neves curled a beautiful shot into the top corner beyond a despairing David de Gea.

The equaliser survived a VAR review which deemed Joao Moutinho was not offside in the build up to the goal.

All of Wolves good work, however, was almost undone in the 66th minute. A foray forward from Paul Pogba saw the Frenchman felled by Conor Coady inside the penalty area. Referee Jon Moss had no choice but to point to the spot.

Pogba took the penalty himself and saw his powerful effort repelled by the flying Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

The introduction of Adama Traore for the ill Matt Doherty gave Wolves an extra attacking edge in the second half.

The jet-heeled Spaniard twice broke beyond United defenders but his teammates were unable to take advantage on both occasions as the match entered the final 10 minutes.

Wolves introduced new signing Pedro Neto, while youngster Mason Greenwood came on for United, but neither change was able to produce a winning goal.