Manchester United rode their luck and emerged victorious in a match that Bournemouth should’ve put to bed in the first half.
Callum Wilson opened the scoring for the Cherries in the 10th minute, but Anthony Martial pulled one back for the Red Devils just before half-time as he latched on to a square pass from Alexis Sanchez and slotted it home. Super-sub Marcus Rashford scored from within the six-yard box in the death to hand United an unconvincing 2-1 win.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3)
David De Gea 6: Had little chance to save Wilson’s goal, wasn’t tested by much else. Bournemouth attack should’ve done better.
Ashley Young 6: Lost out to Fraser on numerous occasions in the first half. Switched up a gear in the second half and played in attack, failed to produce anything significant.
Chris Smalling 3: United’s worst player on the pitch, would’ve conceded more if not for Bournemouth’s attacking impotency. Almost a spectator in the second half.
Victor Lindelof 5: Probably not as bad as his partner in defence, but huge scope of improvement for Sweden international.
Luke Shaw 6: Exchanged passes with Pogba and Martial well, missed a goal-scoring chance, above-average in defence.
Nemanja Matic 6: Nearly anonymous in the first half, let Pogba run the game in the second half.
Fred 6: Put in some tackles, shabby with his passing, failed to bring stability in midfield and removed early in the second half.
Paul Pogba 7: A classic Pogba performance where he was ineffective in the first half, but dictated terms in the second.
Anthony Martial 8: Constant menace for the Bournemouth full-back, also scored the equaliser.
Alexis Sanchez 7: Kept giving away possession, but had a good game in his new position, set up Martial’s goal.
Juan Mata 6: Nothing special from the Spaniard, substituted early on in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
Ander Herrara 7: Provided some much-needed stability in midfield that Fred and Matic failed to deliver.
Marcus Rashford 7: Missed an easy chance, but scored the winner in the death. Good substitute performance.
Jesse Lingard 6: Came in for the last 10 minutes, missed a half-chance that he should’ve finished.