Bournemouth stunned Manchester United with three goals against the run of play, silencing the home fans at Old Trafford with a 3-0 win on Saturday.
Both teams entered the match in fine form, and Manchester United came out firing but was quickly behind 1-0. Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, and Marcos Senesi had scored by the time the dust began to settle on the final score line.
WATCH MANCHESTER UNITED v BOURNEMOUTH LIVE
Fresh from their big 2-1 win against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Erik ten Hag saw his team claim 70% possession and take 20-plus shots but fail to find the goal. United fails to go level with fourth-place Man City. The Red Devils are sixth with 27 points and could finish the weekend as low as ninth.
Bournemouth have now won five times in their last seven to catapult the Cherries up the table. Andoni Iraola’s men are 13th with 19 points, closer to the European places than the bottom three.
Man United answer another step forward with another step back
There were so many symptoms of the sick on display for Manchester United, days after a memorable win over Chelsea threatened to restore validity to their season.
The Red Devils failed to finish anything, were cooked on the counter attack, and looked cooked and dejected by the end of what would’ve been a 4-0 score line had Dango Ouattara not handled the ball while regaining his balance in stoppage time.
Erik ten Hag is getting almost nothing from his marquee signings, as Andre Onana’s stop-start season stopped without many stops on Saturday and Antony is a shell of the man we saw at Ajax. Rasmus Hojlund is still without a goal in Premier League play but has shown well in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane are on the bench and Bournemouth fans were serenading Ten Hag with ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ chants.
That’s probably not true — would any club put a caretaker in charge for Bayern and Liverpool? Cruel! — but what a grim second half.
Amazing Andoni does it again
Occasionally, Bournemouth looks to deliver forward-first football under Andoni Iraola, but what’s beautiful about the Cherries’ resurgence is that the manager is showing an ability to shift focus and tactics.
Saturday’s win was Moyesian — brave at the back with so many blocked shots and ready to feast when the chances come their way.
While Iraola may have been brought into a bizarre circumstance given how well Gary O’Neil did last year and now this year with Wolves, the Basque-born manager and Athletic Bilbao hero is looking the part. And given the upcoming fixtures — read ahead — the Cherries could be sitting pretty by the end of 2023.
What’s next?
Man United hosts Bayern Munich at Tuesday in a must-win Champions League group stage match, and then go to Liverpool on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Bournemouth can dream big now, at least in the short-term, as next up is Luton Town at home (Saturday), Forest away, and Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth final score: 0-3
Goal: Solanke (5'), Billing (68'), Senesi (73')
How to watch Manchester United vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (December 9)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Manchester United vs Bournemouth player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Bournemouth player ratings (fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Bournemouth player ratings (fotmob.com)
Marcos Senesi goal: Textbook header
Bournemouth have a corner in the rain, and they’ve pouring misery on the hosts.
Marcos Senesi loses his mark and rises to pound an instructional header past Onana.
3-0.
Philip Billing goal!
It’s a powerful bit of work from the sub in the box.
Dominic Solanke drives a Bournemouth counter attack and lays it wide to the left for Marcus Tavernier, who has an option to lay it back but instead spies Billing.
It’s a terrific cross and Billing climbs the ladder to pop a header across goal and past a flying Onana.
2-0, 68'.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth halftime analysis: 0-1
A strange half to recap, as United dominated but could easily be down 2-0 with Solanke hitting the post several minutes after scoring his opener (and eighth Premier League goal of the season).
Bournemouth has been efficient, taking seven of the game’s 15 shots despite a poor 27% possession figure.
The Red Devils have only forced two saves out of Neto at the other end, one more than Andre Onana’s made between their sticks.
Dominic Solanke goal! Cute sweep of the back leg
The hosts buzz out the gates, and three Manchester United attempts inside the 18 are blocked by Cherries players.
Warning signs for the visitors? Or from them?
Dominic Solanke’s got Bournemouth on the board in the fifth minute, as he gets ball side of Harry Maguire to turn a delightful back leg sweep of the ball past Andre Onana.
Manchester United lineup
🕑 Time for team news! 📋#MUFC || #MUNBOU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 9, 2023
Bournemouth lineup
Our starting XI for #MUNBOU ✅ pic.twitter.com/C8HYmKQoY1
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 9, 2023
Manchester United focus, team news
The Red Devils were much better against Chelsea in midweek and should have won by a greater margin as Erik ten Hag praised the commitment and desire of his team. Fresh off the back of media reports saying that Erik ten Hag had lost the dressing room that performance was quite the statement from the players who were on the pitch and United will be hoping they can push closer towards the top four with a win against Bournemouth. In injury news, United still have a lot of players missing and both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford started on the bench against Chelsea. Also, if they need a goal this weekend it is likely McTominay will step up and deliver.
OUT: Casemiro (ankle), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Christian Eriksen (knee), Tyrell Malacia (undisclosed), Jadon Sancho (disciplinary - club), Amad Diallo (knee), Jonny Evans (thigh), Mason Mount (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Raphael Varane (lower back)
Bournemouth focus, team news
The Cherries have really clicked in recent weeks and they are a wonderful unit to watch in full flow. Iraola is still missing plenty of key players too so in a week which sees them play three times, their squad will be stretched to its limit. That said, plenty of players have been making a big impact off the bench and Antoine Semenyo has been sensational in recent games.
OUT: Maximillian Aarons (hamstring), Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness), Alex Scott (knee)
