The Joe Edwards debrief – Wolves 0 Manchester United 0

The date is yet to be confirmed, but it is set to take place a week on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Fairly flat affair

If you were at Molineux for this one or watched it on the box, you will already know this was not the most exciting of games.

Given Wolves’ penchant for beating the ‘big six’ sides, and the magic that came when the two teams met in the competition last year, there was the potential for this to be the tie of the round.

But it definitely was not that. Nuno Espirito Santo summed it up afterwards when saying United were the better side in the first half, and Wolves the more threatening in the second.

Neither shone, though. Matt Doherty, of course, had the game’s best chances.

The first was a close-range volley, which was saved superbly by Sergio Romero, and then a header went in via the Irishman’s hand and was – rightly, to be fair – disallowed by the referee.

United, meanwhile, had Marcus Rashford hit the bar, with Conor Coady sliding in heroically and taking the shot on to the woodwork. Juan Mata went close with a free-kick, too.

So, there was goalmouth action, but the vast majority of the clash was slow and rather passive.

And I cannot help but feel the FA are largely at fault for that.

After all, the timing of the third round is terrible.

Wolves had already played on December 27, 29 and New Year’s Day.

United played on Boxing Day, December 28 and New Year’s Day as well, so it was always likely this game would turn out worse than it should have been.

Wolves made five changes to try and keep the side fresh, while the Red Devils made seven. The fans seemed a bit fatigued, too.

Had this tie taken place a few weeks down the line, there is a great chance it would have been a lot more entertaining.

Nuno, meanwhile, would have liked it to go straight to penalties instead of a replay, insisting the Cup would become ‘more emotional’ as ‘both teams would go for it’.

Ultimately, though, it is what it is – and a replay is coming.

The replay

And speaking of the replay, it is the last thing either team wanted.

Wolves have already played 36 games this season, and for United, what was the only free midweek of the month is now eliminated by another match.

One person will be happy about the replay, though, and that is John Ruddy. Wolves’ stand-in goalkeeper kept a clean sheet.

That was the first shut-out since the Europa League victory against Besiktas in December, so Ruddy has kept back-to-back clean sheets.

He will get another start in the replay as well, so well done Ruddy.

Cutrone’s absence

The big team news of the night was Benny Ashley-Seal making his first senior start in attack.

And that was because Nuno wanted to give Raul Jimenez a bit of a rest, while Patrick Cutrone was left out of the squad all together.

The word is that Cutrone was omitted in order to avoid picking up a knock ahead of a potential move away from the club this month.

Nuno admitted he could depart, too, after having a ‘good conversation’ with the striker on Friday.

It is a shame how things have turned out for Cutrone.

Clearly a talented and very passionate footballer, he arrived with massive potential when signed in the summer from AC Milan – for an initial £16million.

The fans took to him straight away as well because of his tireless displays up front, and the chant about him loving pizza and pasta proved so catchy.

But 22-year-old Cutrone has just not settled at Molineux.

None of his family came over with him in the summer and his English is limited.

Throw in the fact that he has not had regular minutes all season, and things become very difficult.

A move is not thought to be set in stone at this stage.

Wolves, ideally, would like a replacement before Cutrone’s departure is sanctioned as well.

Either way, though, it is tough to see him coming back from this.

Let’s not forget that Cutrone did not want to leave Milan in the first place.

He penned an emotional farewell to supporters upon exiting his boyhood club. It was the club’s decision, not his.

And while you could never doubt his work-rate on the pitch for Wolves – he has certainly given it a good go – a return to his homeland seems the best move for all parties.

There is a chance Cutrone could stay, but if he can find a club back in Italy and Wolves can bring another attacker in, that would suit everyone.

Benny’s bow

So, 21-year-old Ashley-Seal led the line from the off – and he caused some problems early on with his willingness to press the United defenders, and then run at them with the ball.

He then got shrugged off the ball, fairly, a few times, but that is to be expected from someone making their first senior start.

As it turned out, the former Norwich youngster did not come out for the second period – Jimenez taking his place.

But, he must not get downhearted about being substituted.

Ashley-Seal has been firing them in regularly for the club’s under-23s and has earned a first-team opportunity.

And as the Cutrone saga rumbles on, it seems likely he will be on the bench for the Newcastle game on Saturday.

If he keeps scoring so many for the development side and shows the same work ethic, he will get another chance under Nuno – a manager not afraid to give youth a go.

Up next

So, Newcastle at home is the next test for Wolves. And while a replay against United is on the cards, Nuno’s lot have the rarity of no midweek game before the Magpies clash.

They have time to recharge as they look to make up for back-to-back league losses.

Also, Nuno wants to knuckle down in a bid to get some players in. Let’s hope progress is made in that regard.