Wolves vs. Manchester United: 5 Things We Learned at Molineux

If you can't beat them, taunt them.

"It's just like watching Bilbao," sang the Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters during the closing moments of their side's 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday. And while their song may have flattered the visitors somewhat, it neatly summed up perhaps the most vexing mystery of the English Premier League season.

What is it that makes Manchester United so unassailable in England yet so beatable on the continent?

The man who can successfully answer that would be a very rich man indeed—or the manager of Athletic Bilbao. Three days after being outclassed in Basque country, United outclassed yet another Premiership opponent and in the process opened a four-point lead over Manchester City atop the table.

United have won eight of their last nine league matches—the lone blip was a 3-3 draw against Chelsea—and if they're not the favorites for the title, they're at least the leaders in the clubhouse.

Wolves, meanwhile, are in deep trouble. Now at the bottom of the table, Wolves have lost their last three matches by a combined score of 12-0 and have taken four points out of the last 27 available.

It will take a miracle to keep Wolves up, but on current form it may take something bigger to deny United yet another title.

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Catch Us If You Can

The message from United to City on Sunday was clear: Match us—and catch us—if you can.

After brushing off Wolves' feeble challenge, the Red Devils' winning streak now stands at five matches. Their unbeaten run is now nine, dating back to the shocking 3-0 reverse against Newcastle on Jan. 4.

Apart from that single hiccup, 2012 has been United's year in England. While City have stumbled, United have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs and mounted a three-goal comeback against Chelsea.

Not so long ago, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were chasing City. Now their lead is four points until at least Wednesday, when Chelsea visit the Etihad.

With nine matches left, United's players are talking up the possibility of winning every last one. With one eye on their fixture list and the other on their current form, one would be hard pressed to find reason to doubt them.

Wolves Have Little Hope

Poor Wolves. They just can't catch a break.

Days after United were knocked out of the Champions League, they blew off steam with a cathartic 4-1 win over Wolves. And on Sunday, just a few days after being knocked out of the Europa League, United decimated Wolves, 5-0, at Molineux.

The latter result was only briefly in doubt. Jonathan Evans opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and 18 minutes later Wolves' Ronald Zubar was sent off for his second yellow card.

Wolves didn't have a chance after that and, predictably, United added two more goals before the break. Antonio Valencia doubled United's advantage on the counter two minutes before halftime. Two minutes later, the Ecuadorian provided the final pass as Welbeck added United's third.

That was enough to doom Wolverhampton, but things got even worse in the second half. United added two more goals, pushing Wolves' goal differential to minus-33.

That's worst in the league, and now so are Wolves. And with each passing loss, the decision to sack Mick McCarthy is looking more misguided.

Under caretaker manager Terry Connor, Wolves look no better off and instead seem to lack the stability that could keep them in the Premier League. Against Manchester United, they defended set pieces poorly, marked attackers only when it suited their taste, left themselves open to counters and displayed almost no attacking ambition.

Wolves remain only one point from safety, but when they play as poorly as they did Sunday, that one point may as well be one million.

Goal Difference? What Difference?

Manchester United, on the other hand, have more and more reason to feel optimistic about their prospects.

In addition to taking a four-point lead atop the table, United shaved Manchester City's goal-differential advantage by five on Sunday.

City's once vaunted advantage in that category now stands at three goals. And with Blackburn, QPR and Wigan on United's upcoming fixture list, the trend is likely to continue.

United's Wing Wizards

Danny Welbeck is a good little winger. So is Antonio Valencia. Together, they gave United a lethal degree of width against Wolves.

Sir Alex Ferguson's conundrum over who to play up top now seems solved. With Welbeck deployed on the wing, Fergie can opt for the striking combination of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez.

That partnership has been United's best bet this season, but the need to find playing time for Welbeck complicated the issue. After Sunday, the dilemma seems to be choosing from Welbeck, Valencia and Ashley Young on the wings.

Valencia made an excellent case for himself Sunday, terrorizing Wolves' (admittedly poor) defense down the right flank throughout. He took his scoring chance excellently on the counter, and his final pass for Welbeck's goal late in the first half was top class.

For Ferguson, it's an excellent dilemma to have.

Paul Pogba Is Getting His Shot

Paul Pogba found himself on the pitch again for Manchester United as a second-half substitute. It was the latest twist in his muddled contract situation.

Earlier this month, reports had the French teenager headed for Juventus. Since then, Pogba has appeared twice in the league and once in Europe.

That means Ferguson is giving Pogba the shot he has so craved. But will that be enough to keep him at Old Trafford?