Heavy defeat leaves Carrick on the brink
Another damaging loss might well have proved fatal for Michael Carrick. Already under huge pressure, going two down before half time left the team chasing shadows. The gambles he took, failed to pay off, and it looks increasingly likely he will be let go.
It was the topping on a very successful week for the visitors though. Fresh from their win over AC Milan, they picked off mistakes with a ruthless nature. It appears they are on the up again after a frustrating start to the season.
Captain dropped post outburst
The major talking point pre-match circulated around the exclusion of Bruno Fernandes. The Utd captain had been critical of the manager after the defeat to Como. Carrick cited footballing reasons for it instead. Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matheus Cunha also dropped to the bench. In came Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba.
The visitors were unchanged from their midweek success in the Europa League. Their major selection story came with the return to the matchday squad for Junior Kroupi after an injury lay-off.
It was evident to many that an air of nervousness hung over the ground. Rayan had two opportunities to heighten the tension in the opening stages. He put a header wide from a corner before electing to shoot, rather than passing to Justin Kluivert.
The best chance came when the Cherries exploited the space afforded to them on ten minutes. Rayan’s cross looked to find Evanilson at the back post. The Brazilian was stopped by a decisive block by Leny Yoro.
Mistakes cost United yet again
The pressure was building and eventually Utd cracked on 37 minutes. Ayden Heaven appeared to have won the ball cleanly on Evanilson. The referee deemed it otherwise. Kluivert swept his delivery to the far post where Rayan was completely un-marked to volley home.
The situation got worse two minutes before the break. Yoro appeared to have had the situation under control only for his footing to slip. That allowed Adrien Truffert the opening to square it to Marcus Tavernier to tap home.
The half-time whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos. Players looked downbeat as they left the pitch. Matheus Cunha was the only substitution though.
The Cherries continued to look the more dangerous. Evanilson had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside before Rayan had two opportunities to land his second. Both came from defensive mistakes but not capitalised upon.
Bruno Fernandes had come to warm up, but was not called upon. The home side were still looking fragmented and lacking in ideas. If anyone was to score again, it was likely to be the away side.
It duly arrived on 71 minutes. Yet again we were the architects of our own downfall. A simple long ball exploited indecision and miscommunication between Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Senne Lammens. Evanilson skipped around the advancing keeper and curled his effort home from a tight angle.
A final farewell?
That signalled a mass exit of fans. Those left saw a few half-chances in the time left. Nothing that could be described as being convincing though.
On the final whistle, it was notable that Carrick did a lap of the pitch to applause from those left in the ground. It seems increasingly likely that he is on his last legs though. A decision appears it will be made on his future soon. This could be before Utd play away to Chelsea on Saturday. Bournemouth face Leeds United looking upwards.
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven (Lisandro Martinez 65), Diogo Dalot, Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba (Joshua Zirkzee 72), Mason Mount, Youri Tielemans (Matheus Cunha 46), Amad Diallo (Shea Lacey 78), Bryan Mbeumo
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs De Ligt, Bruno Fernandes, Tyler Fletcher.
Booked: Andrey Santos (22), Ayden Heaven (37), Youri Tielemans (40), Harry Maguire (45+3)
Sent Off: None
Bournemouth: Dorde Petrovic, Adam Smith (Bafode Diakite 87), James Hill, Antonio Silva, Adrien Truffert, Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook (Ryan Christie 75), Rayan, Justin Kluivert (Ben Gannon Doak 63), Marcus Tavernier (Amine Adli 87), Evanilson (Junior Kroupi 87)
Subs not used: Michele Di Gregorio, Julio Soler, David Brooks, Alvaro Rodriguez.
Booked: Tyler Adams (27)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Jarred Gillet
Attendance: N/A
Simply Red Man of the Match: Rayan
Leave a Reply