British Movietone News footage of the FA Cup Quarter-final between Wolves and Manchester United at Molineux on 10th March 1965.

Despite being drawn at home for their FA Cup encounter with United, Wolves faced an arduous task in their attempt to overcome Matt Busby's supremely talented team. Ahead of the match at Molineux, Wolves languished in last place in the First Division while United were third in the league and mounting a strong challenge for the title.

The 1964-65 season signalled the end of a hugely successful era for Wolves; on 15th September 1964 legendary manager Stan Cullis, who'd guided the club to two FA Cup successes and three First Division titles during his sixteen year tenure, had been controversially sacked by Wolves chairman John Ireland and eventually replaced by former Scotland manager Andy Beattie.

Wolves had won just once in their opening eight league matches before the sacking of 'The Iron Manager' Cullis, a 4-3 defeat of West Ham United in what ultimately proved to be his final game in charge. Beattie took charge at Molineux as caretaker manager on 2nd November 1964 and his first game as manager resulted in a Wolves victory at Stoke City and his second a 3-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux. However, despite a draw and win in their subsequent two matches that prompted thoughts of escaping relegation, Wolves won just twice more in the league prior to their FA Cup clash with United.

Matt Busby's United team presented a formidable challenge to Wolves; namely, the best defence in the league coupled with a highly potent forward line consisting of Bobby Charlton, George Best, David Herd, John Connelly and Denis Law. Scottish international Law finished the 1964-65 season with a total of 39 league and cup goals, a hugely impressive haul that saw him win the Ballon d'Or as United won the First Division title at the end of the season.

It was, therefore, with good reason that winger Dave Wagstaffe, who had joined Wolves just months earlier on Boxing Day 1964, described how he and his new teammates faced United with a 'certain amount of trepidation.' In front of 53,581 at Molineux however, Wolves dispelled any sense of apprehension by surging into a two goal lead inside the first fifteen minutes before United, somewhat predictably, hit back...

Wolves: Fred Davies, Bobby Thomson, Gerry Harris, Ron Flowers, Dave Woodfield, George Miller, Terry Wharton, Bobby Woodruff, Hugh Mcllmoyle, Peter Knowles, Dave Wagstaffe.

Manchester United: Pat Dunne, Shay Brennan, Tony Dunne, Pat Crerand, Bill Foulkes, Nobby Stiles, John Connelly, Bobby Charlton, David Herd, Denis Law, George Best.