Manchester United climbed into sixth place in the Premier League after a commanding 4-1 win over bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers, extending their unbeaten league run on the road to five matches (W3, D2).

Wolves, rooted to the foot of the table with just two points from 14 games, needed a strong showing against the Red Devils, having endured one of the worst starts to a top-flight season in English football.

Despite their precarious position, Wolves began brightly. Diogo Dalot and Bryan Mbeumo both tested United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone with early efforts, which were well saved.

United opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Casemiro won the ball in midfield, found former Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, who set up Bruno Fernandes for a close-range finish to give the visitors the lead.

Determined to press their advantage, United almost doubled their lead when Cunha saw a strike cleared off the line by Toti Gomes. Wolves responded with a long-range effort from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde that went wide.

The home side drew level just before half-time. David Moller Wolfe’s clever cut-back found Bellegarde, who finished superbly into the far corner, giving Wolves their first league goal since October.

The second half quickly mirrored the first, but United regained the lead when Diogo Dalot broke through Wolves’ defence and squared for Mbeumo to tap into an empty net.

The visitors extended their advantage shortly after the hour mark. Bruno Fernandes delivered a perfect cross for Mason Mount, who volleyed home for his third Premier League goal of the season.

United continued to dominate, and with 20 minutes remaining, a handball by Yerson Mosquera earned them a penalty. Fernandes stepped up and calmly converted, sealing a fourth successive goal for the visitors and handing Wolves their eighth consecutive Premier League defeat.

The result leaves Wolves firmly anchored at the bottom, already confirmed to occupy the last spot at Christmas, while Manchester United climb into the top six and maintain momentum in their campaign.