Manchester United produced the most positive of responses after their horrible week to move within two points of Premier League leaders Manchester City in the title race.
Nani and Wayne Rooney both scored twice for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, on an afternoon in which a few of the wounds of an early European Cup exit and serious injury for Nemanja Vidic were healed.
The pair both scored their first Barclays Premier League goals since September when they converted first-half efforts.
Then, after Steven Fletcher had pulled one back within 90 seconds of the restart, Nani tapped home before Rooney's volley took him to 13 for the season overall.
The victory - as impressive as it was - does not atone for the disappointment in Switzerland on Wednesday with United losing 2-1 to Basle to go out of Europe's premier club competition.
But, with so many injuries to overcome as well, the sight of Rooney making a meaningful contribution to a handsome win at least allows Ferguson to move forward with confidence.
Even Ferguson knows there is no way to put a positive spin on early elimination from the Champions League. Yet some of the criticism has hurt deeply judging by a comment in his programme notes.
'We will take a lot of stick from critics and even from people we thought were perhaps on our side,' said Ferguson.
It was not made clear whether the Scot was referring specifically to former skipper Roy Keane, who was the first to make his observations known as a pundit for ITV and had not held back in his view of the younger players in Ferguson's squad.However, the reaction helped bring a sense of focus to United's performance once Fletcher had fired a good chance wide after just 20 seconds. A Wolves goal at that point would have really caused the home fans to sweat. As it was, with Nani leading the way, they swiftly took command.
The Portugal winger was one of the few to excel in Basle and maintained that form. He had already served notice of his intention to cause Wolves problems when he was allowed to drift his way across the penalty area, skipping past three defenders in the process. Nani then cut a shot back beyond Wayne Hennessey's right-hand that found the bottom corner. The celebration was a mixture of relief and defiance.
What happened on Wednesday is going to take more than one goal, one performance and one win to put right but the process of putting together those shattered pieces had begun. It was Nani's first Premier League goal since September 24, a week after Rooney had last found the net in league combat. That effort, against Chelsea, came at a time when United's season was so full of promise.
Nani and Wayne Rooney both scored twice for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, on an afternoon in which a few of the wounds of an early European Cup exit and serious injury for Nemanja Vidic were healed.
Nani hit two as United returned to winning ways
Then, after Steven Fletcher had pulled one back within 90 seconds of the restart, Nani tapped home before Rooney's volley took him to 13 for the season overall.
The victory - as impressive as it was - does not atone for the disappointment in Switzerland on Wednesday with United losing 2-1 to Basle to go out of Europe's premier club competition.
But, with so many injuries to overcome as well, the sight of Rooney making a meaningful contribution to a handsome win at least allows Ferguson to move forward with confidence.
Even Ferguson knows there is no way to put a positive spin on early elimination from the Champions League. Yet some of the criticism has hurt deeply judging by a comment in his programme notes.
Eye for goal: Wayne Rooney scores United's second goal
It was not made clear whether the Scot was referring specifically to former skipper Roy Keane, who was the first to make his observations known as a pundit for ITV and had not held back in his view of the younger players in Ferguson's squad.
Comfortable win: Nani scores his second goal against Wolves at Old Trafford
The Portugal winger was one of the few to excel in Basle and maintained that form. He had already served notice of his intention to cause Wolves problems when he was allowed to drift his way across the penalty area, skipping past three defenders in the process. Nani then cut a shot back beyond Wayne Hennessey's right-hand that found the bottom corner. The celebration was a mixture of relief and defiance.
What happened on Wednesday is going to take more than one goal, one performance and one win to put right but the process of putting together those shattered pieces had begun. It was Nani's first Premier League goal since September 24, a week after Rooney had last found the net in league combat. That effort, against Chelsea, came at a time when United's season was so full of promise.
Reasons to be cheerful: Rooney celebrates with Phil Jones after scoring his second goal
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