MAN UTD 0-3 BOURNEMOUTH: Goals from Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo gave the Cherries another historic win at Old Trafford, moving them up to fifth in the table
Bournemouth thrashed Manchester United 3-0 in their own back yard for the second December running, condemning Ruben Amorim’s side to back-to-back home loss.
Teenage centre-back Dean Huijsen, put the Cherries 1-0 up midway through the first half, and it was difficult to say that they didn’t deserve it. Bruno Fernandes and Co. had a flurry of chances to draw level before half-time but Bournemouth went into the break with the lead.
Despite Amorim’s trio of substitutions, Bournemouth managed to win a penalty just before the hour mark after a wild tackle by Noussair Mazraoui. Justin Kluivert made it 2-0 from the spot and then turned provider, setting up Antoine Semenyo for the Cherries’ third.
United came into the match hoping to record two Premier League wins in a row for the first time this season but were handed their second defeat in four days. The Red Devils, who remain 13th, will spend Christmas in the bottom half for the first time 1989 while Bournemouth are up to fifth place.
Here are five talking points from Old Trafford.
1. Third time unlucky for Rashford
Will Marcus Rashford play for Manchester United again? That’s the question fans are asking after Ruben Amorim left him out of the squad for the third game running, with the January transfer window on the horizon. Having missed out on last weekend’s late 2-1 win against Manchester City, Rashford confirmed that he’s ‘ready for a new challenge’.
Amorim confirmed pre-match that he isn’t being instructed by the club to leave the 27-year-old out, he’s simply out of favour. “It is my decision, and it always will be,” the United manager told Sky Sports. “I want to see the best of my players, and I try different things with different players, so that is my focus.”
Should Manchester United sell Marcus Rashford? Have your say in the comments section.
2. Bournemouth use United’s set-piece kryptonite
There’ve been plenty of issues at the start of Amorim’s reign but perhaps none as United’s tendency to concede from a set piece. A dubious free-kick given away by Tyrell Malacia handed Ryan Christie – who was excellent all afternoon – the opportunity to swing the ball in.
Dean Huijsen’s eyes must’ve lit up when the ball came flying towards him and Joshua Zirkzee hadn’t kept tight on the Bournemouth defender. For the second time for four games, 19-year-old Huijsen headed home and produced his ‘chill guy’ celebration in front of the Stretford End.
That was the fifth time United have conceded from a set piece in their last four Premier League games and it only frustrated the animated Amorim even more. It’s unclear who’s in charge of set pieces at United, as Swedish coach Andreas Georgson was brought in over the summer to specifically work on them, although Amorim brought in two assistants as part of his move to Sporting Lisbon and they appear to be more involved.
3. Amorim the tinkerman
Good to anyone predicting United’s line-ups these days. Amorim’s XI’s have felt like a tombola since the Portuguese first arrived and you can’t even be sure the same team will come out for the second half, especially not with displays like Tyrell Malacia in the first 45 minutes.
The Dutch left-back was ruthlessly hooked at half-time, signalling a shift in the back line. Diogo Dalot switched across to the left-hand side while Noussair Mazraoui pushed up on the right and Leny Yoro came on to play at centre-back.
Despite criticism from the likes of Gary Neville, Amorim isn’t afraid to shake things up. And he wasn’t done there.
Less than 10 minutes into the half, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund were called on, with Amorim evidently not happy with what he’d seen at the start of the second half. Bournemouth had caused problems with their direct approach and the home crowd, who’d been unusually quiet in the opening 45 minutes, let their discontent be known.
4. Kluivert punishes desperate Mazraoui
Little changed for United after Amorim decided to change things and Bournemouth were still able to find ways of troubling the Red Devils. It was almost too easy for the Cherries as they attacked down the left, as Justin Kluivert burst into the penalty area and drew a foul from Mazraoui.
The Red Devils right-back lunged in for a desperate attempt to win the ball but clipped Kluivert. The Netherlands international slotted home a penalty to keep up his 100 per cent record from the spot – and it was about to get worse for United.
5. Deja vu
Imagine telling someone 10 years ago that Bournemouth would win 3-0 at Old Trafford two years in a row. They’d probably tell you it was a pair of pre-season friendlies, but this is the reality for United in 2024.
Kobbie Mainoo tried to be too clever and lost possession, and the Red Devils’ defence was typically porous to let Evanilson have freedom in the final third and play in Kluivert. His pull-back easily found Antoine Semenyo, who slotted home and made it 3-0, levelling their impressive victory from last season. Amorim was forced to suffer the same humiliation as predecessor Erik ten Hag.
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