Manchester United faced off against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium earlier this afternoon hoping to build on their 2-1 victory over Everton last weekend. The home team started the game on the front foot and took the lead courtesy of Callum Wilson’s clinical finish from close range. However, the Red Devils managed to equalise in the 35th minute through Anthony Martial’s well-executed strike to go in level at half-time.
Both sides traded blows but struggled to make a breakthrough in the second half until Marcus Rashford stepped up in injury-time to score from close range. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Red Devils with the Cherries left bitterly disappointed from conceding so late in the game.
Let’s take a look at how each Manchester United player performed during the match against the Cherries.
GK: David De Gea – 9/10
The Spanish keeper pulled off some world-class saves to keep United in the contest. He was outstanding during the game and was one of the main reasons why the away side could come away with maximum points from the Vitality Stadium.
RB: Ashley Young – 5.5/10
The English talent found it difficult to cope with the threat of Ryan Fraser in the first half but came back and to put on a much-improved display in the second.
CB: Chris Smalling – 7/10
The English centre-half commanded his box well and did enough to restrict the Cherries from scoring a goal in the second half.
CB: Victor Lindelöf – 6.5/10
He was put under a lot of pressure by the Bournemouth attackers but passed the test with flying colours.
LB: Luke Shaw – 5.5/10
The United left-back was at fault for not tracking back in the lead up to Bournemouth’s opener. However, he was a constant threat down the left flank, but he was guilty of squandering an excellent opportunity to score in the second half.
CM: Fred – 5/10
He was mostly ineffective during the game and was rightfully subbed after 56 minutes for failing to make an impact in the opposition half.
CM: Nemanja Matic – 6.5/10
The Serbian international retained possession well for the Red Devils at the centre of the park and shielded his backline quite effectively to earn a fantastic result for United.
CM: Paul Pogba – 5/10
Another ordinary performance from the Man United star. There were flashes of his brilliance, but the Frenchman was not able to make a significant contribution in the opposition half.
RM: Juan Mata – 5/10
The Spanish playmaker had an off-day for Mourinho’s team which saw him get subbed in place of the match winner, Rashford in the second half.
ST: Alexis Sánchez – 6/10
The Chilean made some unselfish darting runs behind the Cherries backline. However, he looked like a player struggling to find confidence in front of goal.
LM: Anthony Martial – 7/10
The French winger was United’s biggest threat in the first half. He took his chance and scored the all-important equaliser with a smart finish in the 35th minute.
Substitutes:
RM: Marcus Rashford – 8/10
His injury-time goal was scrappy, but it could turn out to be a season-defining moment for Mourinho’s men.
CM: Ander Herrera – 7/10
The Spanish midfielder went close with his curling effort which missed the Bournemouth goal by a whisker.
CAM: Jesse Lingard – 5/10
He failed to make an impact during his time on the pitch.
