Manchester United were embarrassed at home as they were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Cherries’ historic win sees them join Manchester City and Liverpool as the only teams to beat United at Old Trafford by three or more in the league since 2020.
Dominic Solanke gave the visitors the lead with a cute finish after just five minutes when his flick to the far corner nutmegged Harry Maguire and beat Andre Onana. There was then a mismatch at the back post in the second half when Luke Shaw was tasked with defending an aerial threat by Philip Billing. Needless to say, the six-foot-three Denmark international went on to head past Onana. Bournemouth then rubbed salt in United’s wounds minutes later when Marcos Senesi was left unmarked from a corner. It truly was schoolboy-level defending from United.
Andoni Iraola has previously proved he is capable of beating Man United when the odds are against him. In 2012, the Basque manager served as the captain of the Athletic Bilbao squad during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure as they eliminated Sir Alex Ferguson’s United from the Europa League. It was only a month ago that rumours hinted at a potential sacking for Iraola after a woeful run of form. He has since gone on to turn it around with a run of five games unbeaten since being battered by Manchester City 6-1.
While it’s impossible to lose a match before kickoff, Erik ten Hag’s selection of Anthony Martial in the starting XI encouraged Bournemouth’s defenders an hour before a ball was kicked. The Frenchman’s first-half performance summed up United’s season yet he somehow came out to start the second. He only lasted 10 minutes after the break and was subsequently substituted for Rasmus Hojlund, whose search for a league goal continues.
Next up for United in the league is a trip to Anfield, a daunting place at the best of times for the Red Devils, and they will be without their captain Bruno Fernandes who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season.
