TOM COLLOMOSSE: Wolf pair Matheus Cunha and Matheus Nunes see new life under Gary O’Neil after outstanding performances at Man United

Saying goodbye to a manager at the start of the season is never ideal, but Wolves’ first half performances at Manchester United indicated it was the best they could have done.

After a summer of grumbling about the lack of money for transfers, former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui left Molineux on Tuesday.

Wolves moved quickly to hire Gary O’Neil, but he still only had three training sessions to prepare for a trip to Old Trafford, one of the toughest challenges in English football.

Whatever O’Neil did during training at Compton had an immediate impact on Matheus Nunes and Matheus Cunha. Wolves paid Sporting Lisbon nearly £40 million last summer for Nunes, once labeled one of the world’s best midfielders by Pep Guardiola, while Cunha cost £44 million from Atletico Madrid.

But both had quiet seasons and with Wolves desperately trying to comply with Financial Fair Play rules, the Nunes deal is one that has drawn a lot of criticism.

If their performances were any guide here, that tune would be about to change.

Despite his blatant miss in the second half, Cunha was a constant threat. One of two mobile forwards, he sank deep to collect possession before attacking United’s static midfield and defence.

With his physique as a basketball player, Nunes did the same, showing striking power to hold the ball and often making crucial interventions in his own half. It was Nunes’ burst through the middle that eventually led to a glorious chance for Cunha, who somehow hit the outside of the post from the box.

Cunha came close again moments later with an effort that was tipped around the post by Andre Onana after another thrilling strike that exposed United.

O’Neil has to take all this big time. Had Lopetegui still been in charge, it’s doubtful Wolves would have looked as energetic.

Anyone watching Leicester at the start of last season could see how manager Brendan Rodgers’ frustration over the lack of summer spending had spread to the squad. They duly collected just one point from their first seven games and after such a start it was always going to be difficult to avoid relegation.

These are early days and a few standout appearances in the first match of the campaign are not enough to justify the fees for Nunes and Cunha.

But there’s a reason why Guardiola made his comments about Nunes, just as there’s a reason why Atletico paid more than £30 million for Cunha two years ago. More of the same in the early weeks of the season and no one will remember Lopetegui’s moans.