'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United travelled to the Vitality Stadium to take on AFC Bournemouth as they looked to continue their newfound momentum after a below-average start to their Premier League campaign.
The record English champions came to the south coast on the back of three successive wins in all competitions but failed to make an impression on the day, as the home side got their league campaign back on track with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
Joshua King's first-half strike was enough to seal all three points for Eddie Howe's side as the Red Devils failed to get anything from the game despite their best efforts, particularly in the second half.
The conditions were adverse as the rain was pouring down in the South Coast, making it harder for the players to play their natural game but the Red Devils made a strong start to the game, dominating the opening exchanges.
Andreas Pereira had a brilliant chance to put his team ahead, but the Brazilian fluffed his lines sensationally, after being teed up by Daniel James from the right-flank. Pereira failed to make contact with the ball as it skimmed off the turf past his left foot and the Red Devils were made to pay later in the first half.
King put Bournemouth ahead with a well-taken goal close to the half time whistle, as he was awarded too much time and space to bring the ball down and slam the ball into the back of the net. The away side failed to clear the ball inside the penalty area and the Manchester United academy graduate made them pay in emphatic style.
As Bournemouth registered a well-deserved victory, let's look at some of the talking points from the game.
#1 Manchester United's midfield looked lacklustre
Andreas Pereira was chosen to start alongside Scott McTominay and Fred in midfield and the trio failed to make an impression in the game. Pereira, starting as a No. 10, fluffed a glorious chance to put his side ahead and failed to recover from his miss as the game progressed.
McTominay has been one of the Red Devils' most reliable performers this season and although he is one of few players who can leave with his head held high, the midfield trio were outplayed by the likes of Jefferson Lerma and Philipp Billing.
With Paul Pogba out for the foreseeable future, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope for the rest of his midfielders to get back to their best as they look to salvage their league campaign.
Also check out: EPL fixtures EPL table Champions League table
#2 Nathan Ake was on the top of his game for the home side
Since making the move from Chelsea, Nathan Ake has been one of the most reliable performers for Eddie Howe's side and the Dutchman enhanced his reputation further with a commanding performance at the back.
Starting alongside Steve Cook in the heart of the defence, Ake was on the top of his game and managed to keep Manchester United's attackers at bay for the entirety of the game.
United were far from their best but the Red Devils pilled on the pressure, particularly in the closing stages of the game but Ake marshalled the Bournemouth backline expertly to buoy his side to a a deserved victory at home.
With yet another top-class performance against a top-six side, it's not hard to see why Ake was being linked with big-money moves to the likes of Leicester City and Manchester City this summer.
#3 A lapse in concentration cost the away side dearly
Manchester United dominated the opening exchanges but their inability to convert an early chance coupled with the lack of concentration at the back cost them dearly. In the closing stages of the first half, Josh King was afforded so much time and space on the ball and the Norwegian international took his chance brilliantly for the opening goal of the game.
The likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire weren't alert to the danger and failed to take conclusive action, which proved to be the difference at the end of the day. With the ball looping inside the box, the Manchester United backline weren't alert to the danger, allowing King to pounce for the solitary goal of the game.
Wan-Bissaka and Maguire have been reliable figures at the back for the Red Devils since their big-money moves this summer but the pair could be held culpable for the only goal of the game.
