Sport
Manchester United Boss Explained in a historic United had never lost to the visitors
After picking up the Premier League manager of the month award for November, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag saw his side humbled at home by Bournemouth. The Dutchman was looking for The Red Devils to build on the momentum of the previous month, but The Cherries proved too good at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. Dominic Solanke, Marcos Senesi and Philip Billing were on the scoresheet.
Dominic Solanke scored a superb opener as a clinical Bournemouth completed a resounding 3-0 Premier League rout of Manchester United in a historic first triumph at Old Trafford.
United had never lost to the visitors in 10 previous home meetings, but could not recover after Andoni Iraola’s side grabbed the lead on five minutes when Solanke nonchalantly backheeled Lewis Cook’s cross into the net for his ninth goal of the season.
Despite plenty of huffing and puffing from United, Bournemouth killed the match off for their fourth win in five matches courtesy of two brilliant headers from substitute Philip Billing (68′) and Marcos Senesi (73′) via the pinpoint deliveries of Marcus Tavernier.
It was no more than the visitors deserved for a superbly organised counter-attacking display with visiting substitute Dango Ouattara having a fourth harshly ruled out for a VAR handball call in added time after it rebounded off him via home goalkeeper Andre Onana.
United remain in sixth place in the table on 27 points alongside Tottenham having played one more game, while the visitors move up to 13th spot on 19 points.
TALKING POINT: UNPREDICTABLE UNITED CONTINUE TO FRUSTRATE THEIR FANS
Erk ten Hag’s side could have moved above Tottenham into fifth spot in the table with a win, but that never looked likely as soon as they shipped the opening goal after only five minutes.
Lacking any sort of conviction or clinical edge to their finishing against a Bournemouth side who were full of it as a drenched Old Trafford emptied long before the final whistle.
United turned in an insipid display in a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle last week, recovered strongly to overcome Chelsea 2-1 in midweek before reverting to another fairly forgettable performance against Andoni Iraola’s vibrant counter-attacking side in the pursuit of back-to-back home wins.
It must leave Ten Hag wondering what version of his team are going to show up.
Not quite Jekyll and Hyde, but there is nowhere to hide over the next week with a make-or-break UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich and a Premier League trip to fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday looming large.
They will also be without the suspended Bruno Fernandes against Liverpool after the United captain picked up a late yellow card to add to the sense of dismay.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: DOMINIC SOLANKE (BOURNEMOUTH)
At the age of 26, it surely isn’t too late for Solanke to force his way into England manager Gareth Southgate’s plans for the Euro 2024 finals next summer.
Would certainly be worth studying because the imposing striker is playing with pace, power and purpose at the moment. No team in Germany will want to face him on this form.
Scored one goal, hit the post and was involved in the build-up to his side’s second delightful goal in a merited victory at Old Trafford.
Difficult to believe his solitary cap was earned six years ago against Brazil when you witness him in this mood.
