In what was a stunning affair from Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, Bournemouth ran rampant as they secured a famous 3-0 victory against Manchester United.
While Erik ten Hag’s side might have been smelling a golden chance to secure back-to-back Premier League victories, the English giants couldn’t have got off to a worse start as Dominic Solanke produced a slick finish after just five minutes.
Silencing the Old Trafford support and with United met by a chorus of boos at both the half-time and full-time whistle, Bournemouth could have easily entered the interval with a far wider buffer as both Solanke and Marcus Tavernier came close to doubling the Cherries’ lead.
With the pressure now firmly back on ten Hag’s shoulders, Andoni Iraola’s side produced a remarkable second-half performance as Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi guided Bournemouth to a maiden win at Old Trafford.
However, things could have got far worse for the former Premier League champions as Dango Ouattara’s injury-time strike was ruled out by VAR.
Watching Manchester United produce what will certainly be billed as a season-worst display, Saturday’s hosts will be more than aware that they face a monumental backlash.
Enduring a public nightmare just days before their crucial Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, we have taken a look at the main talking points from a remarkable affair contest in Manchester.
Where does ten Hag go from here?
Picking up an eye-catching 2-1 victory against historic rivals Chelsea earlier in the week, many around Old Trafford had hoped that Manchester United were turning a crucial corner.
However, with their Champions League knockout stage dreams hanging by a thread, the former Ajax boss will now have mounting pressure on his shoulders once again.
Completely blown away on home soil and met by audible boos throughout Saturday’s infamous 3-0 drumming, ten Hag now faces another huge backlash and questions will be asked over his future in Manchester.
Drastically failing to claim any kind of stability this season and facing a real uphill battle in their bid to claim another essential top-four finish, the former Premier League champions also find themselves at the heart of a public media battle.
With continued speculation that ten Hag has lost his superstar dressing room, there are a large section of Manchester United fans that are far from impressed by the Dutchman’s negative tactics.
With just a single win from their previous four appearances across all competitions, Saturday’s hosts are a million miles away from mounting any kind of genuine title charge.
Bournemouth deserve all of the plaudits
While it might be Manchester United’s latest Old Trafford collapse which will steal most of Saturday’s headlines, Bournemouth certainly deserve all of the plaudits for a famous display.
Although the Cherries might have endured a hugely worrying start to the 2023/24 campaign and with continued speculation over Iraola’s future on the south coast, the Cherries have come roaring back in a remarkable fashion.
Breezing their way to a maiden top-flight victory at Old Trafford here and completely dominating across the pitch, the former Rayo Vallecano boss has seen his squad skyrocket away from a looming relegation scrap.
Making a string of public impairments on either side of November’s international break, Bournemouth have now collected 13 points from their last five Premier League appearances.
Laying down a stunning marker here and quickly gaining a reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, Saturday’s guests are riding what has become a stellar purple patch.
Already collecting points off of Newcastle and Aston Villa on their recent flurry, Bournemouth now have a major platform to build on during a stacked winter schedule.
Bayern will put United to the sword
In the midst of what has been a record-breaking Champions League nightmare this season, it is no secret that Manchester United face a must-win showdown when German giants Bayern Munich arrive at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Suffering a woeful European collapse away at Galatasaray on November 29th, ten Hag’s side open their group stage finale sat rock-bottom of the Group A standings after mustering just four points from their five Champions League appearances.
Shipping a staggering 14 goals in those five Group A appearances, nothing less than three points will be enough for United to sneak a way to the knockout stage.
However, likely to be dealing with a real hangover following Saturday’s infamous 3-0 drumming against Bournemouth, the Reds will face a monumental challenge when Bayern Munich arrive in town on Tuesday night.
With Thomas Tuchel’s squad already breezing their way to the knockout stage and wrapping up Group A with plenty of time to spare, things could get far worse for ten Hag in a few days time.
Needing a major Champions League miracle in midweek, the pressure at Old Trafford is certainly set to be at a boring point.
Match Report
Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon, McTominay, Amrabat, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Martial
Subs: Evans, Hojlund, Rashford, Pellistri
Bournemouth: Neto, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Christire, Cook, Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier, Solanke
Subs: Ouattara, Rothwell, Sinisterra, Billing
Goals: Solanke (5’), Billing (68’), Senesi (73’)
Yellow Cards: Manchester United: Reguilon, Hojlund, Fernandes Bournemouth: Tavernier
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Peter Banks
