Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Nuno Espirito Santo will lead Wolverhampton Wanderers for the final time this weekend, with the Portuguese standing down as head coach following the clash with Manchester United.

Wolves know that a win on Sunday would guarantee 12th position in the Premier League table, while Man United will end the 2020-21 campaign in second spot regardless of the result at Molineux.

Match preview

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There has been speculation surrounding Nuno's future in recent months, but official confirmation has now arrived that the 47-year-old will leave Wolves at the end of the campaign by mutual consent.

The Portuguese only signed a three-year contract extension last September, having led Wolves to back-to-back seventh-place finishes in England's top flight, but it has been an underwhelming season for the former Championship winners, with a total of 45 points leaving them in 12th position.

Wolves cannot finish any higher than 12th, but they are only three points clear of 15th-placed Newcastle United and therefore their position could change on the final weekend of the season.

The home side will enter Sunday's clash off the back of successive losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, while they are winless in their last five matches with Man United in all competitions.

Wolves have struggled for consistency at Molineux this term, winning seven, drawing four and losing seven of their 18 Premier League matches, but they will be determined to give Nuno a strong send-off in this match.

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As for Man United, it would be fair to say that their eyes are firmly on next week's Europa League final, with Sunday's match meaning little to the 20-time English champions in the grand scheme of things.

The Red Devils have managed to secure second spot in the Premier League table despite a run of three matches without a win, losing to Leicester City and Liverpool before drawing 1-1 with Fulham last time out.

Man United might be pleased to be back on the road this weekend, as they have again been excellent on their travels, remaining unbeaten across 18 matches, recording 11 victories in the process.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already suggested that there will be changes for this match ahead of the Europa League final against Villarreal on May 26.

The English giants will not want to enter the clash with the Yellow Submarine off the back of another disappointing result, though, and they will be looking to make it a league double over Wolves, having recorded a 1-0 victory in the reverse match at Old Trafford back in December.

Team News

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Wolves will again be missing Raul Jimenez, Pedro Neto, Jonny and Daniel Podence through injury, while Owen Otasowie is unlikely to be available for selection at Molineux.

Nuno could make changes to the side that started against Everton, with Romain Saiss, Fernando Marcal, Rui Patricio, Leander Dendoncker and Vitinha all in line for spots in the XI.

There will still be a familiar look to the side, though, with Conor Coady, Ruben Neves, Adama Traore and Joao Moutinho set to feature for the hosts.

As for Man United, Harry Maguire is still unavailable due to an ankle injury, and the England international faces an uphill battle to be available for the Europa League final.

Anthony Martial and Phil Jones are also still out, but Fred, Scott McTominay and Daniel James have been cleared to play following recent issues.

As mentioned, Solskjaer has already hinted at changes this weekend, meaning that the likes of Alex Telles, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Amad Diallo and Donny van de Beek could be given vital minutes.

David de Gea could keep his spot between the sticks, meanwhile, as the Spain international is likely to start the Europa League final, with Dean Henderson's future being called into question.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss; Semedo, Neves, Moutinho, Marcal; Vitinha; Traore, Silva

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Telles; Matic, Van de Beek; Amad, Mata, James; Rashford

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Manchester United

A full-strength Man United would be the firm favourites entering this match, but there is no question that Solskjaer will make plenty of changes ahead of the Europa League final. Three of the last five meetings between these two sides have finished level, and we can see another draw being played out here.

Video prediction

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