In a stunning upset, AFC Bournemouth claimed their first-ever victory at Old Trafford, thrashing Manchester United 3-0 and throwing Erik ten Hag’s side into disarray. Just days after an uplifting win over Chelsea, United faltered, missing the chance to match Manchester City in the standings and instead, suffered a historic home defeat.
The game’s pace was set early when Lewis Cook’s cross in the 5th minute found Dominic Solanke, who flicked in a stylish finish for his eighth Premier League goal of the season. Bournemouth’s assertiveness continued as Marcus Tavernier’s header was disallowed due to an offside in the buildup, and Solanke later hit the post, narrowly missing a chance to double the lead.
In the second half, Bournemouth’s relentless pressure paid off. A well-orchestrated play in the 68th minute saw Tavernier’s cross meet Philip Billing, who outjumped Luke Shaw to head past Andre Onana. Just five minutes later, Marcos Senesi scored off Tavernier’s corner, marking his second consecutive goal-scoring match.
To exacerbate United’s troubles, captain Bruno Fernandes received his fifth yellow card of the season, ruling him out of the crucial upcoming match against Liverpool. This loss marked a first for United, as they fell by three goals at home to a team starting the day in the bottom half of the table.
This victory propels Bournemouth up to 13th place, tying them with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford, and Chelsea at 19 points. Manchester United, however, remain stagnant at sixth with 27 points, their aspirations of climbing the table severely dented.
Bournemouth’s victory is a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess, leaving Manchester United to reflect on a missed opportunity and a performance that raises questions about their consistency under Ten Hag. As Bournemouth celebrates a historic win, United faces the challenge of rebounding from this significant setback.
