Manchester United fought back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium to continue their resurgence over the last month.
Calamitous defending saw Callum Wilson slot the hosts into the lead on the south coast. But that stirred United from their slumber and Anthony Martial scored his fifth goal in as many games to equalise before half-time.
In an entertaining second half, United squandered several guilt-edged chances before substitute Marcus Rashford struck to win it in stoppage time.
Here are the game’s talking points.
SANCHEZ ON SONG
It wasn’t a flawless performance from the Chilean by any stretch of the imagination, but for want of a more glowing term, Alexis Sanchez got involved.
And while that might appear a pretty vanilla explanation, Sanchez injected something into this United performance which has been sorely lacking when Romelu Lukaku has led the line.
No goals have been found in nine games for the big Belgian – big being the buzz word as the frontman has noticeably bulked up since last season. It has seen his intelligent movement between the lines and into channels plus impressive work rate from his debut campaign dip dramatically this term.
Sanchez of course is hardly flawless – his strike record of four goals in 32 games since joining United is shocking. But he was hugely influential against the Cherries – picking out Martial smartly for the equaliser and getting into areas you wouldn’t find Lukaku (launching himself at a Chris Smalling knockdown in the second half and forcing a fine stop from Asmir Begovic).
His two key passes were only bettered by Paul Pogba’s four and he even won three aerial duels – only Smalling (seven) and Luke Shaw (four) won more.
He stretched Bournemouth’s defence and midfield, stifling their high-energy game and forcing them uncomfortably out of position after they had pummeled United in the opening 45 minutes.
SLOW STARTS CANNOT CONTINUE
Anyone remember the Manchester derby last season at the Etihad Stadiu? For United fans it was the highlight of an admittedly mediocre season. It was classic United in many ways, a stirring, scintillating second half fightback seeing the Red Devils rescue victory from the jaws of defeat. Even sweeter was that defeat would have handed the title to their bitter rivals – and that will forever irk fans from the blue half of the city.
Euphoria aside, what should preoccupy United fans’ thoughts leading up to next weekend’s return is that City are unlikely to be as generous as they were in the first 45 minutes 12 months ago.
Most United fans will remember Pogba’s brace or Smalling’s winner – the atrocious first-half showing not so much.
United were hopelessly outplayed by their slick opponents and the fact Pep Guardiola’s side weren’t four or 5-0 up at the break remains a mystery.
As well as United have played in the last month and as improved as Jose Mourinho’s attack has been against Newcastle, Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth – the spluttering starts to games have got to stop.
As good as United have been in the second halves of these games, they will be out of it by the time they emerge from the tunnel for the second period if they take as long to settle at the Etihad next Sunday.
HOWE ABOUT EDDIE FOR UNITED?
The Bournemouth manager will ultimately be disappointed in defeat after his side had led and torn through United in the first half. But it was yet another example of his rising status as a talented manager. As happy and content as he is on the south coast, surely he must want to dip his toe in more elite waters before too long?
The Cherries have been one of the biggest success stories of the Premier League in the last few years. Since leading the underdogs to a 16th-place finish on debut in 2015/16, Howe’s side improved to an incredible ninth the following year before slipping back to 12th last season.
And they’ve done it playing some of the most attractive football in the league. Bournemouth were the ninth highest scorers in the top-flight last season and Howe has assembled a hugely talented and youthful squad on a relatively shoestring budget.
Nathan Ake was rescued from mediocrity at Chelsea, Ryan Fraser was plucked from obscurity at Aberdeen for just £400,000, while summer signing David Brooks from Sheffield United has fitted in to Bournemouth’s energetic and high-tempo, attractive, attacking blend of football seamlessly.
This is a team that were in the fourth tier of English football as recently as 2002/2003. With the future of Mourinho at Old Trafford uncertain, United chiefs really should be keeping tabs on Howe.
