Manchester United’s troubled week turned still darker at Old Trafford, where a 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth left Michael Carrick’s side eight matches without a win in all competitions and only a single point clear of the relegation places.
Why it landed this week
- Manchester United
- Michael Carrick
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bournemouth
- Como
The Bournemouth match had already been framed as a serious test of Carrick’s position after the 4-1 Champions League loss to Como, a result which deepened a poor beginning to the campaign. United arrived needing a win, having gone seven games without one, but left with the run extended by another afternoon to forget.
There was added scrutiny around the manager’s selection. Bruno Fernandes, United’s Portuguese playmaker, began on the bench after questioning the tactical approach following the defeat in Italy. He had said that the decision not to press opponents man for man, and to leave space behind while trying to win the ball back, came from the coaching staff.
Carrick made widespread changes for Bournemouth and sent out a side featuring Lammens in goal; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven and Dalot across the defence; Tielemans, Andrey and Baleba in midfield; and Amad, Mount and Mbeumo further forward.
Fernandes did warm up late in the second half, but Carrick ultimately kept him unused as Bournemouth completed a 3-0 win. For United, the numbers now make for grim reading: eight without victory across all competitions, a heavy European setback in the rear-view mirror, and the drop suddenly uncomfortably close.
