Bournemouth’s Historic Triumph: Stunning Upset at Old Trafford
Manchester United faced the disappointment of being booed off the pitch after enduring a humiliating defeat at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Just three days following a crucial victory against Chelsea that injected hope into a campaign on the brink of crisis, Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a stunning setback at the hands of Bournemouth, who secured their first-ever win at Old Trafford.
Dominic Solanke’s early goal provided the lead for the Cherries. Andoni Iraola’s team fully justified their advantage, sealing a historic victory with headers from Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi in the second half, marking one of the most memorable triumphs in Bournemouth’s history.
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United narrowly avoided further humiliation as a potential fourth goal for Bournemouth, netted by substitute Dango Ouattara, was ruled out in stoppage time by the video assistant referee due to handball.
The defeat for United, coming just three days ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, adds further pressure, as they must secure a win to have any chance of reaching the last 16. This unfortunate turn of events on a day when Erik ten Hag was named the Premier League’s manager of the month makes it one of the worst days possible for him.
With seven defeats in 16 league games and an equal number of losses and wins in all competitions (11 each), United’s struggles are evident. Notably, they have suffered three 3-0 defeats at home. The decision to start Antony Martial, a surprising move by Ten Hag, backfired, leaving virtually no one in a red shirt with any positive credit.
Solanke Shines as Striking Star
In the aftermath of United’s lackluster defeat at Newcastle, Martial and Rashford faced severe criticism and were subsequently dropped for the victory against Chelsea. Despite this, Martial’s quick recall was surprising, and his contributions proved ineffective against Bournemouth.
Solanke, in stark contrast, seized every opportunity to threaten the United goal. His adept finish capitalized on the wet conditions, utilizing the pace of a low cross after Lewis Cook exploited static defending. Solanke consistently posed a threat, hitting the base of the post with another shot and contributing to a disallowed goal.
Martial’s struggles culminated in his early substitution, met with cheers from the home crowd, yet Bournemouth continued to exploit United’s vulnerabilities. Billing and Senesi capitalized on aerial weaknesses, securing a sensational win for Bournemouth and leaving United with significant questions to address.
