Pablo Sarabia's Free-Kick Lifts Wolves to Historic Win Over Manchester United
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Pablo Sarabia's Magic Moment Breaks Old Trafford Hearts
Pablo Sarabia isn’t a regular starter for Wolverhampton Wanderers, but lately, he’s been their go-to hero off the bench. On April 20, at Old Trafford, Sarabia delivered another moment to remember—a curling free-kick from 20 yards in the 77th minute that left Manchester United stunned. For Wolves fans, it’s hard to think of a more satisfying recent win. The goal wasn’t just a thing of beauty—it sealed a milestone. This win extended Wolves’ winning run in the Premier League to five matches, something no one in gold and black has experienced since 1970.
The mood inside Old Trafford was tense right from kickoff. The home crowd came expecting a response, but United looked short on ideas. The first half was cagey and tight, with both teams struggling to break through. United had a golden chance when Christian Eriksen's shot forced a sharp save from Wolves’ Dan Bentley. Bentley was thrown in last moment after Jose Sa pulled up injured in the pre-match warmup, but he showed no nerves despite the huge stage.
After the break, United pushed for a breakthrough. Rasmus Højlund showed glimpses of why the club invested so much in him, driving into the box and testing the Wolves defense. Alejandro Garnacho added some spark out wide, but Wolves’ backline kept calm under pressure. When Højlund slipped past defenders late on, Toti's perfectly timed tackle shut him down before he could unleash a shot. That bit of defending summed up Wolves’ night—organized, committed, and always alert.
Sarabia Delivers Again as Wolves Seal Historic Double
Vitor Pereira, Wolves’ manager, rolled the dice just before the 75th minute, sending on Pablo Sarabia in place of Jorgen Strand Larsen. The substitution paid off in no time. Wolves won a free-kick in a dangerous spot, and Sarabia stepped up, curling his shot over the wall and into the top corner. United’s Andre Onana could only watch as the ball sailed past him. It was Sarabia’s second big impact from the bench this month, following his crucial role in the win over Ipswich Town.
For Wolves, this win means more than just three points. They’ve now completed a league double over Manchester United for the first time since 1980. That’s four and a half decades of disappointment put to bed in one perfect strike. It also means Premier League safety is finally secure. Sitting 17 points above the drop zone with just a handful of games to go, Wolves fans can breathe easy at last. They even climbed up to 15th in the table, leaving behind some anxious weeks earlier this season when relegation fears lingered.
United, meanwhile, just can’t seem to catch a break. This loss marks their fourth straight league match without a win, and if you’re keeping count, it’s now 15 defeats for them this season—the most in living memory for many fans. Old Trafford emptied out quickly after the final whistle, leaving United’s players to ponder what’s gone wrong. Their chase for a European spot looks shaky now, as the pressure mounts on both players and staff with each missed opportunity.
For Wolves, April will be remembered as the month they made history—breaking their own records, winning tough away games, and silencing one of English football’s biggest clubs on their own turf. For Pablo Sarabia, it’s another chapter in a season that started quietly and has now exploded into unforgettable moments at the business end.
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