For a while it looked like Manchester United would enjoy the rare feeling of leaving Molineux with a victory and renewed optimism. In the end they departed with a solitary point, some encouragement and some regrets, most obviously a missed penalty by Paul Pogba after Rúben Neves had cancelled out Anthony Martial’s fine first-half goal.

For Ole Gunnar Solskjær most of the positives came in that first half. His team were dynamic and enterprising and they deserved the lead when Martial gave it to them by applying an emphatic finish to a sharp move. But Wolves’ equaliser was equally merited, Neves plundering a spectacular reward for a thrilling second-half turnaround by Nuno Espírito Santo’s team, who were given new thrust by a half-time substitute, Adama Traoré.

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Both sides created chances to win after that but Pogba claimed the clearest one. He won the opportunity himself, in fairness, after being tripped by Conor Coady following a snappy one-two with Jesse Lingard. Marcus Rashford, who has an impeccable penalty taking record, seemed to offer to take the spot-kick but Pogba pulled rank. He struck the penalty with power but not enough accuracy to beat Rui Patrício, who batted it away.

A draw against this impressive Wolves side, who tend to be particularly troublesome to strong teams, is no disgrace. But winning would have done United a power of good given the way they floundered here last season, when they arrived a week after producing a sensational Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain but wound up ousted by Wolves from the FA Cup and then beaten again a fortnight later. They have not won an away match against anyone since then.

But at least they performed better this time. Solskjær deployed all his new tools, starting all three of his summer recruits. Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were obvious selections, but Daniel James’ inclusion intrigued. It was the young winger’s first start since his arrival from Swansea, his goal-scoring appearance off the bench against Chelsea apparently earning him a promotion. No doubt he hoped James’ speed might help curb the offensive enthusiasm of Wolves’ left wing-back, Jonny.

United began by dominating possession, controlling play without being able to prise apart Wolves’ supremely well organised defence. The action was tight and intense.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ruben Neves scores the equaliser for Wolves Photograph: Andrew Yates/Reuters

The hosts were the first to threaten, albeit without mustering a shot in the eighth minute after Raul Jiménez tricked and bullied his way past three defenders before feeding Matt Doherty, whose cross was turned behind for a corner.

United, though full of energy and bold intent, did not really disturb their hosts until the 18th minute. Pogba released Rashford with a smart pass from midfield, then Rashford toyed with Ryan Bennett on the left before pinging over a wicked cross towards Martial. With two defenders challenging him, the striker was unable to finish from close range.

Still, Solskjær could take heart from his youthful’s side vigour. James, though, had to accept a lesson in the 24th minute when he was booked for simulation after nudging the ball past João Moutinho and taking a tumble. Maybe that was borne of the youngster’s frustration at being unable to get much involved in the game. Soon, however, United came up with something more admirably inventive. And Wolves had no answer.

In the 27th minute Scott McTominay and Lingard combined sharply before Rashford slipped a cute pass through to Martial, who raced away from Willy Boly and rammed a first-time shot high into the net. Patrício had no chance.

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Now United had the home team where they wanted them. Wolves would have to open up more, at some point. But, deprived of the ball, Wolves’ first thought was to avoid suffering more damage as United’s passing and movement grew even more confident. In the 35th minute Coady had to step in to make a vital tackle on Martial after the forward wriggled past Bennett in the box. Moments later Boly had to strain to intercept a clever looped pass by Pogba towards Martial. Just before half-time Boly had to charge to the rescue again to thwart Martial after the increasingly troublesome striker forced Bennett into a mistake at the edge of the box. Wolves welcomed half-time when it came.

Nuno made shrewd use of the pause, replacing Doherty with Traoré, who used his exhilarating pace to push United backwards and spread alarm in United’s defence.

After a free-kick won by Traoré and delivered by Moutinho, Jiménez glanced a header against a post. One minute later Wolves drew level in brilliant style.

After a short corner on the right, Moutinho pulled the ball back to Neves at the edge of the area. The younger Portuguese took a touch and then swept a wonderful curling shot into the net via the crossbar. The home crowd rejoiced and hoped VAR would not make them look silly; VAR kept them on tenterhooks for two minutes before confirming there had been no offside in the buildup.

Play Video 0:24 Solskjær to keep faith in Paul Pogba despite penalty miss – video

Pogba led United’s attempt to regain a grip on the game. He gained an ideal chance to restore their lead when he was tripped by Coady following a one-two with Lingard. Patricio read his powerfully struck spot-kick and batted it away.

At least United did not unravel the way they did here in April when, after taking a lead, they collapsed to a 2-1 defeat. But Traoré, in particular, continued to worry them. One superb run and cross from him in the 82nd minute led to Jonny forcing a save from David De Gea.