Manchester United’s season took another grim turn at Old Trafford as Bournemouth swept to a 3-0 win, leaving Michael Carrick’s side without a victory in eight matches in all competitions and staring at the possibility of ending the weekend in the relegation places.
Key takeaways
- Bournemouth scored through Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson to take all three points.
- United have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign after eight rounds.
- Bruno Fernandes was left on the bench after his comments following the Champions League defeat at Como.
- Lisandro Martinez returned as a substitute after another difficult afternoon for Ayden Heaven.
- Sunderland can send United into the bottom three by beating Leeds.
Bournemouth expose a brittle United
The lift that accompanied Carrick’s arrival at Old Trafford midway through last season has faded quickly. His selection against Bournemouth carried the marks of a manager attempting to restore order: Bruno Fernandes was omitted, as was Matthijs de Ligt, while Mason Mount was used from the start in a false position on the left.
Lisandro Martinez, who had again begun among the substitutes following his outspoken remarks after the defeat at the Metropolitano, was another senior figure kept waiting. Carrick’s reshaped side never found much authority.
Bournemouth began at full throttle. Diogo Dalot was the subject of early handball appeals, before Leny Yoro denied Evanilson what looked a simple finish on the goal line. The visitors repeatedly found room down both United flanks, although the home side eventually took some of the sting out of their pressing.
That respite did not last. In the 37th minute, Justin Kluivert’s set-piece from the right reached Rayan at the far post and he struck first time, unmarked, to put Bournemouth ahead. Six minutes later, Adrien Truffert beat Yoro to the ball and supplied Tavernier for the second.
A banner carrying the word “standards” appeared in the stands as Bournemouth celebrated. The expressions of Carrick and chief executive Omar Berrada told their own story. United managed only one shot on target before the interval, a Petrovic save pushed behind for a corner.
Changes fail to halt the slide
Carrick brought on Matheus Cunha for Youri Tielemans at half-time, but Bournemouth nearly made it three within seconds. Evanilson finished after another loose moment playing out from Heaven, who had also conceded the free-kick from which the opener came, only for the assistant referee to flag.
Heaven’s afternoon continued to unravel. Rayan failed to capitalise on another of his mistakes, dragging an effort too wide when he had space in the area, but Carrick soon had to remove the former Arsenal youngster. Martinez was sent on in his place, returning after his absence.
By then, Bournemouth looked considerably more likely to extend their lead than United did to begin a recovery. The third goal duly arrived when Lewis Cook won a loose ball in midfield and released Evanilson. The Brazilian forward rounded Senne Lammens and finished cleanly, with the goalkeeper, Martinez and Harry Maguire badly out of sync.
There were still around 20 minutes remaining, but supporters began leaving Old Trafford. Fernandes stopped warming up and returned to the bench, while Joshua Zirkzee and Shea Lacey were introduced ahead of him.
For Carrick, the result deepens a crisis rather than offering any sign of a reset. United are winless across eight fixtures, Bournemouth had too much pace and conviction for them, and the league table now offers little shelter. A Sunderland win over Leeds would leave Old Trafford’s club in the drop zone.
