Wounded Man United hoping for Premier League lift

LONDON (AP)—For Manchester United, a Premier League game against a perennial struggler such as Wolverhampton Wanderers usually has little significance beyond an opportunity for three points.

But United hosts Wolves on Saturday desperate for a boost to morale following its humiliating exit from the Champions League and this weekend could offer one of very few chances to put pressure on Premier League leader Manchester City.

Victory for United would leave the defending champions just two points behind City by the time the longtime leaders play at Chelsea on Monday.

United will have to do it without captain Nemanja Vidic, who is out for the season after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at FC Basel.