A Manchester United defeat 0-3 at the hands of AFC Bournemouth in a Premier League match at Old Trafford last Sunday, December 22 leaves its supporters with more questions. With that defeat, United remained in the 13th position in the league table with 22 points from 17 matches.
On the other hand, Bournemouth are now in the fifth position with 28 points from 17 matches. Justin Kluivert came up with a great performance in the match, earning a penalty for the Cherries and then converting it.
However, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United had yet another chastening experience despite having 23 attempts on goal in the match.
Manchester United defeat highlights troublesome problem
United kept getting close to the opposition goal repeatedly, with Bruno Fernandes putting in yet another tireless performance. Marcus Rashford was kept out of the squad once again, but Alejandro Garnacho made a late appearance in the second half.
However, United’s wing-backs, Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia, failed to provide much width to the attack during the initial half an hour or so. They started going into overlaps after that, thereby increasing the intensity in United’s attacks.
In the second half, Malacia had to replaced by Leny Yoro, as Dalot started playing as the left wing-back. Noussair Mazraoui shifted to the right wing-back’s position, but Kluivert kept attacking through the left wing repeatedly to keep the former busy. In fact, Mazraoui’s tackle on Kluivert led to the penalty to put the visitors 2-0 ahead.
United’s defence was breached through its right side yet again for Bournemouth’s third goal, which sealed the fate of the match. The home side kept attacking thereafter, too, but In-form Amad Diallo and Garnacho failed to keep their shots on target. In fact, only seven of United’s 23 attempts were on target.
Amorim has definitely been able to improve the passing ability of his players, as United look more assured in their passing and off-the-ball positioning. Hence, they are able to reach into the final third quite often these days. Kobbie Mainoo is playing box-to-box at times to add impetus to their attacks.
However, the failure to test the opposition goalkeeper often enough remained their glaring weakness. Bournemouth decidedly looked the more clinical of the two sides in the final third and reaped the rewards.
Manchester United should find it really tough to finish inside the top-six
United’s task of ensuring European football next season looks increasingly difficult with almost every match. Although the gap between the 5th and 13th place teams at the moment is six points only, the Red Devils will have to start winning matches to be able to bridge it.
United will take on Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United and Liverpool in their next three league matches, with the latter two being really tough fixtures. Liverpool are in a rampant form at the moment, scoring goals almost at will and winning matches at a canter.
Newcastle are also a very tough team and hence, Manchester United will have to work really hard to earn points from those two matches. It remains to be seen whether another Manchester United defeat will seal their fate in finishing with a European spot this season.