Bournemouth 2-1 Manchester United: Five Talking Points

Bournemouth host Manchester United at a time when both clubs are going through very different periods in their history. Bournemouth are arguably enjoying a golden period in their history, securing entry into the Premier League, and if they can hang on till next year, the clubs coffers can swell significantly thanks to the lucrative TV deals kicking in. Manager Eddie Howe also claimed that their recent win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was the biggest in their clubs history.Manchester United are still struggling to get to grips with Sir Alexs departure over two seasons ago, and despite shelling out over 250 million pounds to rebuild their squad under Louis van Gaal, they look far from challenging for anything. This was abundantly clear with their run of goalless draws, and being summarily dumped out of the Champions League earlier this week by Wolfsburg.Bournemouth had a dream start to the game with Junior Stanislas corner kick finding the net directly. United were shocked into action, and waves of scrappy pressure finally resulted into an equalizer through Fellaini, though Bournemouth were always dangerous on the counter. United were dealt a sucker punch when ex-United boy King struck early in the second half to give Bournemouth the lead again. That proved to be the decisive goal, and despite waves of pressure, United never looked like finding the net, handing Bournemouth another famous victory.

#1 Did United field their U21 team?

United’s injury list meant they had to field inexperienced youngsters

Did Manchester United field their U21 team? What has happened to the first team stars? While Arsenal continue to grab headlines for their injury crisis which is threatening to derail their season, the injury clouds looming large over Old Trafford have gone under the Press’ radar.

United’s back four comprised of unknown commodities Varela and Brothwick-Jackson operating the wings, and youngster Paddy McNair partnering makeshift defender Daley Blind in the heart of the defence. Other youngsters to feature were highly rated Martial, Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira. Options on the bench included Tuanzebe and Nick Powell.

You would be forgiven for thinking United mocked their opposition by sending out such a raw team, but make no mistake, United are deep in the midst of an injury crisis, and were duly sent packing by a gutsy Bournemouth. There are no free lunches in this League.

#2 Profligacy in front of goal from both teams

United were wasteful in front of goal again

Heavyweights United and minnows Bournemouth seemed to engage in a contest of who can outdo the other in terms of sitters missed. The lack of quality in front of goal from both the sides was painful, but no doubt it is unexpected of a team of United’s financial clout and stature.

United’s front line of Martial, Mata and Fellaini scoffed and sliced shots that should have nestled into the back of the net. The home side had their own set of culprits too including Glenn Murray and indeed both the goal-scorers King and Joshua. The Red Devils’ faithful must be brimming with disgust, especially on a day when ex-United frontman Javier Hernandez net an amazing hat-trick over in Germany.

It is a scathing indictment of United and van Gaal that their top goal-scorer has been Juan Mata with four goals. Rooney needs to rediscover the vigour of years past, as youngsters like Depay, Martial and Lingard cannot drag United to any silverware.

#3 Bournemouth can beat the drop

Eddie Howe can be optimistic about Bournemouth’s chances

Nobody gave Bournemouth much of a chance at the start of the season. With only 10 points and two wins from 14 games prior to the win against Chelsea, they looked certain to be embroiled in a battle with fellow basement boys Sunderland, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Watford and Norwich.

Suddenly, with two disciplined performances and huge wins over Chelsea and United, Bournemouth are flying high in 14th place, well above last year’s champions Chelsea who play surprise leaders Leicester on Monday. In a span of two weeks and two big scalps which will probably go down in the club’s history as their best ever two weeks, Bournemouth can dream of staying up.

Eddie Howe has built a well-oiled, young and strong side that is surprisingly the fittest in the League. Their lack of quality in both offense and defense was very obvious, but they more than made up for it with their determination and tirelessness, securing a fantastic win. If Eddie Howe can add some more quality over the winter, Bournemouth may not be having misplaced ambitions.

#4 Martial and Depay are not messiahs

Martial is undoubtedly talented, but still very raw

Manchester United’s most eye-catching acquisitions over the summer included two very expensive youngsters in the form of Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay. They drew comparisons with Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively, and if those predictions were even partly correct, on paper this combo should have meant that United walked the title.

Instead, as we approach the busy festive period, it appears that van Gaal was indeed foolish to pin all his hopes on these two youngsters, and today’s defeat served to underline that point. In the absence of a host of first team stars, all eyes were on the duo to lead United to what should have been a routine win over a team many rungs below them in almost aspects of a club.

Depay and Martial no doubt had their moments and showed their talent and latent quality, but their rawness was also on display as they scuffed plenty of chances which should have won United the game. But they are only youngsters, and at the same time it leaves no doubt that they alone cannot lead United to the Premier League title.

#5 What is this philosophy?

Louis van Gaal’s philosophy needs some refinement

Louis van Gaal is the father figure of most of the modern day coaches. He has influenced them in some way or in some capacity. He also has a very respectable record with clubs across Europe. Yet the man who was receiving plaudits for his tactics with Netherlands in the 2014 World Cup seems to have run into a wall in Manchester.

After having spent over a quarter of a billion pounds, you don’t expect to be dumped out of Europe’s prime competition in the group stages, nor do you expect fans and club legends alike criticizing your ways and asking your team to attack. The most scathing indictment is the fact that United appear sorely lacking in every department except goalkeeping.

There is no doubt that United will have to invest further, and as each game passes by, the world is left scratching their heads over van Gaal’s philosophy which has seen them dumped out of the League Cup and Champion’s League, and with an injury ridden and incomplete squad challenging for the League.

What is even more inexplicable is that van Gaal, with his very public retirement date of 2017, recently told the media that they should not expect trophies, all after investing so much money. Surely he needs to turn things around, or his retirement plans might be brought ahead.