Manchester United 0, Bournemouth 3
Manchester United lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth for the second season in succession after their defensive frailties were exploited.
Goals by Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo exposed continuing defensive frailties as the Cherries recorded a second successive win at Old Trafford to leave the Reds in 13th while the visitors flew high in 5th place in the Premier League.
The Reds will now go into Christmas in the bottom half of the top flight for the first time since the 1989-90 season.
United might have had the upper hand in shots on the Bournemouth goal, with Bruno Fernandes trying his luck from range several times in the first half, but Bournemouth scored the first goal after United went to sleep at another free kick.
Joshua Zirkzee was at fault as Dean Huijsen escaped him to get space for a free header which looped past a rooted Andre Onana at the back post.
United called for Leny Yoro, Alejandro Garnacho, and Alejandro Garnacho from the bench.
But just before the hour mark Noussair Mazraoui brought down Justin Kluivert to give away a blatant penalty.
The Dutchman put the spot kick away before United had a collective losing of heads and gave away the third goal minutes later.
Embed from Getty ImagesKobbie Mainoo lost the ball and Evanilson was allowed time to release Dango Outtara on the left flank – the winger reached the byline and cut the ball back for Antoine Semenyo to finish with aplomb.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 0, Bournemouth 3
Andre Onana: 5. Didn’t get near to Dean Huijsen’s header but saved from Evanilson. Let two more past him in the second half.
Noussair Mazraoui: 5. Defending the right side of a back three. Moved to right wing back after Leny Yoro came on. Was culpable for the penalty and general loss of composure on that side.
Harry Maguire: 6. Looking comfortable in the first half.
Lisandro Martinez: 6. Not much he could do about the opening goal by Bournemouth.
Diogo Dalot: 6. Little chance to get forward in first half, improved in the second half.
Manuel Ugarte: 6. Earned a booking and had to be taken off for his own good.
Kobbie Mainoo: 5. Set up Bruno Fernandes for a chance. Gave away the ball for Bournemouth’s third goal.
Tyrell Malacia: 5. Lacked the physicality needed against the big Bournemouth players.
Amad Diallo: 6. Drew early save from Kepa Arrizabalaga, almost set up Bruno Fernandes for a shot he put wide. Faded in second half.
Bruno Fernandes: 6. From a more advanced role he was encouraged to shoot often but couldn’t hit the target from distance or was denied by Kepa.
Joshua Zirkzee: 5. Seemed lacking in physicality and pace. Poor marking of Dean Huijsen for the opening Bournemouth goal.
Leny Yoro (on for Tyrell Malacia, 46): 6. Added extra height at the back but was even more vulnerable to Bournemouth movement.
Rasmus Hojlund (on for Joshua Zirkzee, 55): 6. Offered more of a presence up front but little service.
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Manuel Ugarte, 55): 6. Had a great chance to pull a goal back but game was already slipping away from United. Curling shot parried by Kepa.
GOALS – Manchester United 0, Bournemouth 3
Man Utd 0, Bournemouth 1: 29. Dean Huijsen rose up unchallenged and his looping header from Ryan Christie’s free kick from the right beat Andre Onana to go into the back of the net.
Man Utd 0, Bournemouth 2: 61. Justin Kluivert sent Andre Onana the wrong way from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by a clumsy Noussair Mazraoui tackle in the area.
Man Utd 0, Bournemouth 3: 63. Antoine Semenyo smashed in the third for the Cherries after Evanilson released Dango Outtara down the left and the winger cut the ball back from the touchline.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 0, Bournemouth 3
Man Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte (Garnacho 55), Mainoo, Malacia (Yoro 46), Amad, Fernandes (C), Zirkzee (Hojlund 55)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, Evans, Collyer
Booking: Ugarte 37 (foul on Justin Kluivert)
Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith (C) (Cook 46), Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Adams (Hill 89), Christie, Semenyo (Brooks 89), Kluivert (Billing 78), Outtara, Evanilson (Unal 71)
Bournemouth Subs not used: Travers, Aarons, Winterburn, Kinsey
Booked: Smith 35 (foul on Tyrell Malacia); Arrizabalaga 82 (time wasting); Huijsen 90+1 (foul)
Goals: Huijsen 29; Kluivert pen 61; Semenyo 63
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance 73,720