Premier League 2019/20: Bournemouth 1-0 Manchester United: 5 talking points as the Red Devils lose at the Vitality Stadium

In the weekend’s early kick-off, Bournemouth welcomed Manchester United to the South Coast. Going into this game, both teams actually had the same amount of points (13), making this encounter an unlikely six-pointer. Manchester United started the better of the two, but it was Bournemouth who took the lead through a wonderful piece of individual brilliance by Josh King just before half time.

In the second half, Manchester United continued to push for an equaliser, however, they would come unstuck against a resilient Bournemouth side. The win sends the Cherries into sixth place, level on points with Arsenal. As for Manchester United, it’s another defeat and now officially their worst league start in over three decades.

Here are five talking points from Bournemouth’s 1-0 win over Manchester United.

#5 Penalty for Manchester United?

AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United - Premier League

It’s been a tough start to the season for Manchester United. Questions over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s capability to manage the squad have arisen, as he’s led United to one of their worst starts in Premier League history. Many have also questioned the club’s recruitment policy, as no replacements were bought in for either Romelu Lukaku or Alexis Sanchez.

Instead, all goalscoring responsibilities have been heaped onto Marcus Rashford thus far. That hasn’t worked out, and instead United have had to rely on goals from dead-ball situations to score. This season already they’ve been awarded six penalties in the league, the most for any side.

Against Bournemouth, the Red Devils were looking for another spot-kick, as Anthony Martial threw himself to the ground after a slight tussle with Jefferson Lerma. This incident led to a mini scuffle as the Cherries felt the Frenchman was trying to con the referee into awarding a seventh penalty for United this season.

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#4 Ryan Fraser under par

Last year, Ryan Fraser was Bournemouth’s shining light. The Scotsman directly contributed to 21 goals in 38 PL appearances. This season, the 25-year-old has badly struggled for form, only scoring once in his last 10 appearances. Many feel it was his quite public contractual situation in the summer, that has unsettled him whilst also casting a doubt over his commitment to the club.

The higher-ups at Bournemouth were not impressed with the fiasco. It’s rumoured that Arsenal was heavily interested in Fraser and because of that interest, the Scotsman became unwilling to sign a new contract. As things stand, Fraser’s current deal expires in July, with a new contract offer in the works.

Today, Fraser didn’t do much to prove to the higher-ups that he’s worthy of a new deal. The 25-year-old could only complete one dribble, complete 28 passes and was dispossessed twice in a poor performance.

#3 Anthony Martial’s impact

It’s about time people started to recognise the brilliance of Anthony Martial. The Frenchman is one of the most talented youngsters in world football, but he hasn’t often been able to show that at Old Trafford.

However, United fans don’t seem to understand how influential he is to the squad, and here’s one stat to prove it. In the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have won 77% of the games Martial has started in, compared to a 28%-win ratio without him.

This is not to say that the 23-year-old scored a load of goals, but his presence and linkup play evidently brings out the best in those around him.

Today against Bournemouth, United looked more fluid on the counter, as Martial dropped in to play as a #10 at times. This movement gave Marcus Rashford more space to make runs in behind. It’s just a pity the rest of his team weren’t on the same wavelength.

#2 Bournemouth’s effective front two

It’s not an outrageous statement to say that Bournemouth has a better strike force than Manchester United. The duo of Joshua King and Callum Wilson have absolutely everything. They’re quick, possess great movement, high work rate and brilliant hold up play. The duo was a constant thorn in the side of both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf, running them ragged all game. When the Cherries were under pressure and being penned in by United, the duo offered themselves as outlets on the counter.

Wilson especially was majestic in his hold up play, often out jumping and wrestling the United centre-back's. In collusion, King often drifted out wide to try and exploit the space left behind by United’s fullbacks. Between them, the pair completed three dribbles, won six aerial duels, attempted three shots on goal and scored the all deciding goal.

#1 Manchester United’s woes continue

Like we said earlier, it’s been a terrible start to the season for Manchester United. As things stand, they’re seven points off the total Jose Mourinho led them to last season at this stage. Just to add insult to injury, this is the club’s worst start in 30 years. This season, the Red Devils have lost to Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Newcastle United and now Bournemouth. After 11 games, United embarrassingly sit on 13 points, having only won three PL games.

Perhaps the most worrying sign of the times is that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams to rescue a point at the Vitality Stadium. Up next for the Red Devils are games against Partizan Belgrade, Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield United. All three of these are winnable but in United’s current form, three defeats are highly probable.

Edited by Zaid Khan