Wolves v Manchester United, 6th October 1973

Second half highlights from the First Division match between Wolves and Manchester United at Molineux on 6th October 1973.

In the weeks prior to their match against Manchester United, Wolves began the 1973-74 season by winning their opening two matches at home to Norwich City and Sheffield United, but then failed to record a single victory from their following seven matches. It was a grim run of results for Wolves that left Bill McGarry's team in a lowly 19th position in the league, just one point above relegation.

Part of the problem was that striker John Richards endured a barren start to the season, going ten league matches without registering a goal. During Richards' worrying goal drought, his strike partner Derek Dougan and midfielder Jim McCalliog scored all twelve of Wolves' league goals between them - including both goals in the defeat of Manchester United. In March 1974, McCalliog was transferred to United following almost five seasons of fine service in the Wolves midfield.

Wolves ultimately regained their form in the league from mid-late November. An impressive 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur (   • Tottenham Hotspur v Wolves, 24th November ...  ) began a revival in results over the remainder of the season that enabled Wolves to haul themselves well clear of relegation with a final league position of 12th. Most memorably, Wolves defeated Manchester City in the League Cup Final on 2nd March 1974.

Manchester United were similarly in need of points from their match at Molineux after an unconvincing start to the season had left Tommy Docherty's team in a very modest 14th position. Their previous two matches at Leeds United and at home to Liverpool had produced creditable draws in each, but the fact that both matches ended goalless also highlighted United's overriding problem - a severe lack of goals. It proved to be a prime reason for their eventual relegation that season, as a paltry total of 38 league goals would testify, with Sammy McIlroy finishing as United's top scorer with just 6 goals.

Originally broadcast on ATV Star Soccer with commentary provided by Hugh Johns.