AFC BOURNEMOUTH 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Marcus Rashford’s injury time winner ensured Manchester United came away from Bournemouth with an unlikely three points after another poor first half.
The result will be disappointing to a Bournemouth side who should have been well clear after yet another calamitous first 45 minutes by the Reds but only had an early Callum Wilson goal to show for it.
A moment of quality from Anthony Martial levelled things up before the break and Jose Mourinho made second half changes which altered the direction of the game and eventually led to Rashford’s winner.
Alexis Sanchez had been selected ahead of Rashford – the only change from the side that beat Everton at Old Trafford last Sunday – but this side started so poorly they were lucky to be on level terms at the break.
Bournemouth could have been three goals to the good by the time Junior Stanislas’ cross was converted by Wilson in the 11th minute.
David De Gea had been given no help by his defence as he had to save chances by Ryan Fraser and Wilson with Chris Smalling having a mare against a more direct Bournemouth side.
The Cherries had more chances to extend that lead before Ashley Young charged up the right flank and found Sanchez whose cut-back was finished by Martial after 35 minutes.
It was Martial’s fifth goal in four consecutive Premier League games – the first time he had found the net that way in his career but United had to be alert with De Gea also saving from David Brooks.
Rashford was introduced in the second half alongside Ander Herrera, as United upped their game with both subs going close and Shaw also having tested Lukasz Fabianski.
Young’s free kick came off the woodwork and Rashford’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Nathan Ake, who had been immense throughout while Brooks cleared Paul Pogba’s effort off the line as United went closer.
Brooks was denied by De Gea at the other end with time running out for the Reds who had committed to going for a winner.
Finally, in injury time, United caught a lucky break when Pogba’s cross looped over Ake and Rashford waited for the ball to come down before lashing it past Fabianski to hand the Reds a most dramatic of victories.