Man United won in a familiar manner against Wolves to go one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League.

Garnacho celebrates his goal

Twice the Manchester United supporters implored Erik ten Hag to introduce Alejandro Garnacho. Just when it seemed he was intent on ignoring them, Garnacho bolted out of the dugout. Soon he was bolting towards the supporters who sang his name so ardently.

“Running down the wing, hear United sing,” the Stretford Enders chanted. Garnacho ran down the middle to secure victory on his first appearance since sustaining an ankle injury at the same end eight weeks ago. Ten Hag embraced Garnacho on the pitch at full-time.

Ten Hag had summoned Harry Maguire and Fred with 10 minutes remaining, a risk-versive strategy when supporters pined for the risk-taker Garnacho. The United fans were appeased and soon pleased. Garnacho’s name received the loudest cheer all day.

This was not the reassuring win United supporters had have hoped for though this is not the season for the return of vintage United. They are at least two wins shy of a return to the Champions League.

Two-nil is a favoured scoreline of Ten Hag’s United and this was the ninth. Six more points from their final three fixtures and the Champions League anthem will return to Old Trafford’s speakers and Thursday nights next season can be spent on the sofa.

If there is a top-flight fixture that constantly disappoints, it is United-Wolves. Since Wolves’ promotion in 2018, the eight outright wins in the 13 matches between the sides have been by a single goal. This avoided becoming the ninth through Garnacho’s cool take in the 94th minute. The rights holders will not regret letting the fixture kick-off at 3pm.

Wolves, 13th in the Premier League table, mathematically safe from relegation and with two away wins all season, still posed a unique test. When it was announced there would be six added minutes, the United supporters groaned. There were panicky clearances from David de Gea and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Garnacho had panicked with one pass overhit for Bruno Fernandes but not with his shot.

As beneficial as a first free midweek since September had supposedly been, United were largely lifeless on the hottest day at Old Trafford since the opening weekend. They were more creative in the first half at West Ham though the glaring difference this week was the 1-0 interval scoreline was in their favour.

United supporters first demanded Garnacho’s entrance as the hour mark loomed. Instead, the 30-year-old Wout Weghorst removed his tracksuit top.

Jadon Sancho’s doziness prompted a louder rendition of Garnacho’s chant. Sancho, sensing he was on borrowed time, responded and drew a laudable stop from Dan Bentley. It should not have taken Sancho 72 minutes to contribute so noticeably.

This was such familiar fare from United Antony’s afternoon began with an attempt off target. Twice Antony was profligate with goalscoring opportunities but with the third opening he charitably squared to his namesake Martial to score.

Bar his chance conversion, Antony played with ebullience and again relished his right-sided alliance with Aaron Wan-Bissaka yet the three standout chances were all botched. It took Antony 130 seconds of the second half to have another shooting opportunity and his technique was telegraphed.

Martial tapped in for his third goal in 15 starts this term and crowned it with a salute. On an afternoon United were deprived of the injured Marcus Rashford, their forwards had to deliver and just as there were anxious murmurings from the Stretford End, Martial was parallel with Antony.

The goal was underpinned by Fernandes, captaining United again. It was his name the supporters bellowed the loudest in-game and as he approached the tunnel at the interval. Fernandes had berated Garnacho for his careless pass but soon assisted him.

Raphael Varane was a typically calming presence on his return from a four-week absence. United won two of their seven matches without Varane in that time and as impressive an axis as Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw have formed, Varane is a vital vertebra in the United spine.

Shaw, back at left-back, was a buccaneering presence and crossed for Antony to head over. Lindelof was rightly retained next to Varane. Of all the options at centre half, the £80million captain was left on the bench until the latter stages but Maguire made a valiant block with the scoreline still 1-0.

For the third game running, Antony’s first shot went past the post. Ten Hag was so eager to retrieve the ball he hurtled outside of the technical area. Alas, United’s only chance in the opening 20 minutes was via an inadvertent pass by Max Kilman.

There were two former United managers in the directors’ box and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kept a relatively low profile on his first appearance at Old Trafford in 18 months. He obliged umpteen selfie requests, a stark contrast to the booing he was subjected to at the last United fixture he presided over at Watford 18 months ago. Solskjaer’s playing legacy endures and he was serenaded as early as the seventh minute.

That, too, was a departure from the sardonic ‘Ole’s at the wheel’ jibe from Manchester City supporters on his last home match as United manager. Solskjaer was not immediately visible in the directors’ box and took his seat with eyes all on the pitch. He may have wished to avoid a reunion with certain players, having dubbed some United stars “snowflakes” at an event in the city centre on Friday evening.

United will hope Garnacho isn’t one of them.