Munetsi gets praises ahead of Old Trafford clash

By Sunday Mail Reporter - The drama is poised for a thrilling showdown at Old Trafford today, and for Zimbabwe, leading the charge is Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi.

It could not have come at a more opportune time than when former Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards has heaped praise on the Zimbabwean international, drawing attention to his key role in the team's turnaround.

With 13 points gained in the past six matches, Wolves are one of the top eight performing Premier League teams.

Edwards believes Munetsi, who had 47 ground duels in the past eight games, 31 aerial challenges, five interceptions, 14 clearances, and 20 recoveries, was central to it all.

It has been a Cinderella story for the Warriors vice captain.

"He's not Matheus Cunha, he's not Pablo Sarabia, he's not that sort of player, but he's as effective in the right moments," Edwards commented.

He was appearing on multiple podcasts ahead of the Manchester United game, singing the praises of the impact Munetsi has made since signing for the club in January from French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims.

"It seems like it doesn't mean anything, but it's massive. He makes other players around him better a great deal. And then off the ball, he's a phenom. He's ridiculously talented," Edwards explained.

Since the arrival of Munetsi at Wolves, much has been talked about what role he must play.

There are those who believe he should play a shield for the defence, others who feel he just needs to be a box-to-box player, and there are those who are drawn to his more central role.

"Our press is dictated by our front three specifically. Munetsi, the amount of running that kid does is absurd.".

“And it’s not aimless running; it’s very considered, controlled. He will just get back into his shape into that sort of right attacking midfield role.

“But as soon as he senses there’s a moment, he goes. The effect that has on the team is that ‘We’ve got to go with him’,” Edwards added.

Munetsi has a goal and an assist, but there is a feeling that he must make more of his chances count with goals.

"I think now Wolves fans are starting to see how vital Munetsi is. He's not going to win supporters over for what he does on the ball," Edwards told Wolverhampton Express and Star.

If Munetsi can take it one step ahead at Old Trafford, by registering a goal, he would become a special kind of Zimbabweans who scored versus Manchester United — Peter Ndlovu and Benjani Mwaruwari.

Prior to the meeting, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted that they are facing a strong Wolves outfit.

"They possess real quality. They are fresh. So we know this will be an stiff match," he said, citing that they will employ more home support.

Wolves manager Vitor Pereira said the solution has been to try to get the team to be his likeness. "We give the players a spirit. They have a bit of the manager's spirit. I'm greedy and greedy and greedy and I want more and more because I'm not satisfied.

"I believe we can improve day by day with the work and I want to see better and better football," Pereira said.

"We are strong when we are defending. We know exactly what to do and the team for me, we have made an enormous step forward in terms of tactical maturity. But we have to continue improving." Sunday Mail