Wolverhampton Wanderers drew 0-0 with Manchester United in Saturday’s FA Cup clash and Ruben Vinagre was criticised by supporters for his performance.
Nuno Espirito Santo named the 20-year-old on the left-hand side of a four-man midfield containing Ruben Neves, Romain Saiss and Matt Doherty, but he brought him off in the second-half as he wasn’t having the desired impact.
90 minutes of my life I wont get back, performance flat, atmosphere flat. Vinagre and Neto poor down the left. Now another game we have to play… #wwfc
— Liam Flecknor (@LiamFleck) January 4, 2020
Neto – dreadful, Vinagre – dreadful, Dendonker – dreadful again!!! Traore weaving his magic with nobody on the end. Surely Cotrone can't be any worse than Neto? #WWFC
— JC Weaver (@jarodcweaver) January 4, 2020
Possibly 2 of the most contrasting performances ever from Vinagre against Liverpool & Man U #wwfc
— Simmo (@simbawolf7) January 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/WolvesTruth/status/1213545793614950400?s=20
https://twitter.com/WereWolvesAyWe/status/1213561600277397505?s=20
Vinagre was very poor. Passing was off, couldn't do the simple things right. Neto had flashes but lacked the footballing brain that Jota has. Jimenez instantly sent United 10 yards back. #wwfc
— Joe Stanley-Hill (@JoeJose84) January 4, 2020
FT 0-0:
– Players looked knackered, we really need to get some signings in this window
– Vinagre and Kilman both poor
– Neto impressive
– Raul a danger as soon as he came on
– The replay is another game we don't need
– Can't listen to McManaman for 2 hours again#WWFC #FACup— 🐺 WeAreWolves 🐺 (@WeAreWolves_com) January 4, 2020
Against United, Vinagre played for 74 minutes, made 34 touches, had one shot, completed 68.8% of his 16 passes, whipped in two crosses, made one interception and had two successful dribbles. Nuno eventually lost patience and replaced the wide-man with Jonny Otto late on.
The 20-year-old has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, but only nine of them have come in the Premier League. Vinagre finds himself behind Jonny in the pecking order, but he has impressed when called upon before.
His poor performance against United shouldn’t harm his chances of more playing time under Nuno, but it’s unlikely he’ll get the nod when Wolves welcome Newcastle United to Molineux on January 11. Jonny should keep his place on the left.
