Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth: Pressure piled on Erik ten Hag as Cherries ease to famous Old Trafford win

United reached new lows as they were left embarrassed by the Cherries
Man United fell to a painful defeat at home to Bournemouth
AFP via Getty Images
Matt Verri9 December 2023

Manchester United fell to shock 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth as the pressure was piled back on Erik ten Hag.

An impressive midweek win over Chelsea had seemingly lifted the mood at Old Trafford, and meant United had the chance to draw level on points with rivals Manchester City with victory over the Cherries.

But they never looked like doing so on a miserable afternoon for Ten Hag and his players, the club lurching swiftly back into crisis mode with a dismal performance that was greeted with a chorus of boos from those who stayed to hear the final whistle.

Dominic Solanke put the hosts in front inside five minutes and, while United initially threatened an immediate response, the Cherries were a constant threat on the counter. James Tavernier had a goal ruled out for the visitors, while Solanke was denied a second by the post as United repeatedly gave the ball away.

Two more Bournemouth goals did came after the break, after the hosts had made a relatively purposeful start to the second period. Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes both had shots blocked and Alejandro Garnacho threatened, but any hopes of a comeback were ended in a five-minute spell.

Philip Billing proved too strong for Luke Shaw in the air and Marcos Senesi then found space from a corner, both heading beyond Andre Onana, as Bournemouth ruthlessly exploited an extraordinarily vulnerable United team. VAR spared Ten Hag's side further misery, ruling out Luis Sinisterra' stoppage-time goal for handball, though that did little to lift the mood among the home fans who grimly watch on until the final whistle.

Bruno Fernandes earned himself a yellow card for dissent late on, one that leaves the captain suspended for his side's trip to Liverpool next weekend and summed up a sloppy, petulant and painfully familiar afternoon for United.

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