In another show of renewed unity and strength at Manchester United, the 'Red Devils' cast aside high flying Bournemouth with ease at Old Trafford on Sunday. Midfielder Paul Pogba, and strikers Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku all got on the score sheet, as interim boss Ole Gunnar Soolskjaer celebrated a third consecutive victory at the helm. Since the introduction of the Norwegian to the Old Trafford dressing room, there has been a clear upturn in fortunes for the club. Gone are the defensive tactics of predecessor Jose Mourinho; as the 'United way' of fast, free-flowing football has been returned to the 'Theatre of dreams' by one of its most cherished former stars.
With barely five minutes on the clock, the hosts took the lead. Young forward Marcus Rashford broke free down the right hand side; shirking the challenges of two defenders to get to the by line and fire a low cross into the centre of the six yard box. Then, in a move typical of his best performances, midfielder Paul Pogba stole a march on the Bournemouth back line, drifting into the box at the perfect time to stretch his right leg and prod the ball into the back of the net.
After failing to get started, Bournemouth seemed further shell shocked when United took the lead. This only ceased to see them invite more pressure onto themselves from the hungry United forward line, which looked to add more goals to their early tally. Sure enough, they almost did just moments later, as a poor clearance fell to Marcus Rashford on the edge of the penalty area. However, the Englishman's attempted volley was blocked at the last by Simon Francis, and the ball fell harmlessly wide of the net.
Finally, around the 20 minute mark, the visitors replied with their own first strike on goal. Full back Jordon Ibe found himself in an advanced position on the right hand side of the United box, and fired at the net. Unfortunately, the effort would drift wide of the far post. The 'Cherries' then followed up this chance with a sustained period of possession; this control produced another opportunity to attack the United back line, a corner. The set piece, swung in from the right hand side, caused chaos in the hosts' box, but somehow, the danger was cleared.
December 30, 2018
This show of resurgence from the visitors only prompted United to step up another gear in their efforts for control. Soon after, the hosts doubled their lead. This time, Paul Pogba demonstrated his strong aerial ability, to latch onto the end of an Ander Herrera cross at the front post, and slam the ball into the roof of the Bournemouth net.
The two-nil scoreline almost flattered the visiting side, as United had been incredibly dominant for the majority of the opening half an hour, and were unlucky not to have scored more. In this vein, Solskjaer's side would further increase their lead on the stroke of half time. Having assisted the opener, Marcus Rashford turned finisher, as he arrived late into the box to volley home a superb deep cross from forward colleague Anthony Martial.
December 30, 2018
Just as all in the ground, and no doubt anyone watching at home, thought that the scintillating half had come to a close, there was a final goal to be scored. Much to most people's surprise, it would be the visitors that would have the final say of the first period. A poorly cleared set piece saw Bournemouth handed the opportunity to launch a second attack at the United rearguard. A great individual run saw Brooks reach the by line, and his chipped cross was slammed home by Nathan Ake at the front post. Bournemouth had a much-needed life line.
December 30, 2018
It would have been foolish for anyone to expect the second half of this match to be played at such a high intensity as was the first. However, in the opening minutes of the second period, it seemed like this would be the case. United flew out of the traps once more, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford both broke through on goal, but were unable to create a real shooting opportunity.
In contrast to their first half opening, the visitors came out with a point to prove, and an incisive edge to their play. Unfortunately, they also were unable to add to the scoresheet.
Substitutions galore followed, as both sets of players tired from the rapid pace of the encounter. 'Cherries' striker Josh King was unlucky not to pull his side further back into the contest on seventy minutes, as his low sweeping drive was blocked at the last by hosts' defender Eric Bailly. In fact, this was to be the Ivorian defender's last act of the game; he was given his marching orders soon after, thanks to a late lunge on Ryan Fraser.
Romelu Lukaku entered the fray with twenty minutes remaining, as boss Solskjaer looked to hand him some minutes, as well as hand Marcus Rashford a well deserved standing ovation from the home crowd. The Belgian made an instant impact. In a great show of the confidence and composure that had deserted him during the tenure of Jose Mourinho; Lukaku stole a march on the Bournemouth back line, and volleyed a chipped pass home past the on-rushing Begovic.
The result had well and truly been sealed. In truth, the match seemed destined for that outcome since the opening goal. Barring a late tactical reshuffle forced by the dismissal of defender Bailly, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side remained comfortable nearly all afternoon at Old Trafford.
More so than the result, the performance from Manchester United will be what pleased the home supporters most on Sunday afternoon. Most notably since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the managerial hot seat, has been the rejuvenation in the form of a handful of big names in the United ranks. Frenchman Paul Pogba looks to be close to reverting back to the form he displayed in the summer with France, as he became a national hero by helping his country to a World Cup crown. Likewise, Belgian Romelu Lukaku seems like he has been given a new lease of life, as he displayed composure and calmness to full effect just minutes after entering the fray.
It is now three wins in a row for the interim boss, and while he is just that at the moment, Solskjaer has only added to his already strong claim for the permanent managerial vacancy at Old Trafford this summer. United will hope that the Norwegian can continue this strong showing into the new year and the remainder of the season...