Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester United: 5 major takeaways

Manchester United recorded a second straight victory in the Premier League after defeating Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off game.

The Red Devils went into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Everton last week, and they needed a comeback to overcome Eddie Howe’s side too. Goals from Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford were enough to hand Jose Mourinho’s men the three points.

Bournemouth started the game brightly and deservedly took the lead in the 11th minute through Cullum Wilson. However, the Red Devils grew into the game and equalised midway through the first-half through the in-form Martial.

United went on to snatch the win in injury time after Rashford came off the bench to score the Red Devils’ second of the afternoon.

Here are five major talking points from the game:

#5 Martial in the form of his life

Martial netted his fifth Premier League goal of the season

When the season started, not many would have fancied Anthony Martial stepping up to be Manchester United’s main man. However, the Frenchman has done just that, having endured a slow start to the season. Currently, Martial is just not droppable from the team and Jose Mourinho knows that very well.

On Saturday, the 22-year-old was once again on target as the Red Devils came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality stadium. This was his 5th goal in the Premier League this season, making him the club’s top scorer this campaign.

It also means Martial has now scored in each of his last four Premier League games. Certainly, he is the most in-form player in the English top flight and has been one of the bright spots in what has so far been a frustrating season for Man United.

#4 Another slow start for Man United

Rashford came on to score the winner, but it was another slow start for United

It is gradually becoming routine that Manchester United start games on a poor note. One of the club’s biggest challenges this season has been how they start games, and against Bournemouth, it was another slow start. Jose Mourinho’s men have sometimes gotten away with it, but for how long will that continue?

In the games against Newcastle United and Chelsea, the Red Devils started poorly but managed to stage a comeback, beating the former and drawing with the latter. Against Juventus in the Champions League, the story was the same, only that Jose Mourinho’s side couldn’t recover from their slow start.

Man United may have beaten Bournemouth after another slow start, but they might soon get punished should they meet a more serious opposition. The slow starts are becoming routine and the manner in which the victory came against Bournemouth should serve as enough warning that if the Red Devils continue to play this way, then they could soon be dropping valuable points.

#3 Bournemouth left to rue their missed chances

Bournemouth were wasteful in the opening 30 minutes

This was a game that Bournemouth had in their hands until they totally capitulated later on. Having taken an early lead in the 11th minute through Callum Wilson, Eddie Howe’s side had every opportunity to kill the game in the opening 30 minutes.

Man United have often been slow starters this season and Bournemouth simply failed to capitalise on that. We’ve seen this too many times this season. Teams that want to beat the Red Devils must do it in the first half, otherwise, like at Newcastle United and Chelsea, Jose Mourinho’s men are bound to bounce back.

You can say it was unfortunate the manner in which Bournemouth lost. This was a side that gave everything, with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic producing a number of world-class saves to stop Man United. However, that late goal came as a sucker punch and Bournemouth can only blame themselves for not taking their early chances.

#2 Fred continues to struggle for United

Fred was poor against Bournemouth

Many Manchester United fans are not happy whenever they see Fred sitting on the bench, however, the Brazilian has done very little to suggest he deserves a place in the starting line-up. He may have had a good game against Everton last week, but on Saturday it was another lethargic outing against Bournemouth.

Perhaps being played on the right side of a three-man midfield didn’t favour him, but a player of his calibre and talent should be offering way more than he is currently doing. Throw in the fact that he had a good chance to score in the first half and he simply contrived to miss.

This United team may not be gelling, but there is competition in every position, especially midfield. The introduction of Ander Herrera was one of the turning points in the second half. The Spaniard has been on the treatment table for many weeks now, but he offered more in his 35 minutes on the pitch than Fred did. Poor performances like this are likely to return Fred to the bench and he must improve quickly.

#1 Clean sheets becoming more difficult for United

Man United has kept just one

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sheet in the league this season

Sometimes it is difficult to understand how a team being managed by Jose Mourinho keeps conceding this way. The Portuguese’s team are normally noted for being robust at the back, but not this Manchester United side.

The Red Devils have barely kept clean sheets this season, and once again conceded against Bournemouth. In fact, Man United has failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last six Premier League games. More worrying is the fact that the club has kept only one clean sheet in the league this season.

This highlights the problems at the back, with Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof continuing to struggle. Last season, the club kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League, ensuring that David de Gea won the Golden Gloves. However, this season has been a disaster and even the Spaniard has been powerless in post.