Manchester United moved to 16 unbeaten games as they beat Bournemouth. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial all made it on the scoresheet in another impressive display. The win moved United into the top four for at least a few hours.
Manchester United Lethal Attackers Help Thrash Bournemouth
A Deadly Attacking Force
The story of the game was undoubtedly United’s exciting front three. Mason Greenwood yet again found the net to move to 15 goals for the season. He scored two goals in a very impressive display.
Greenwood’s first goal came moments after Bournemouth took an early lead. Junior Stanislas nutmegged Harry Maguire before beating David De Gea at the near post.
Greenwood’s equaliser was the result of an excellent first touch. He received the ball on the edge of the area from Bruno Fernandes before dragging the ball away from the defender. His instinctive finishing meant he lashed the ball at Aaron Ramsdale who could not keep the ball out.
His second goal in the second half was even better. Nemanja Matic flicked the ball to the 18-year-old. Greenwood then ran around Diego Rico and unleashed a venomous finish into the top left corner. His stupendous finishing is gathering further plaudits every week.
Marcus Rashford’s performance was very good too. He scored a penalty just four minutes after Greenwood’s first goal, drilling it low into the bottom right corner. He also finished off a lovely passing move after a whipped ball in from the inspiring Greenwood, however, that goal was disallowed for a narrow offside decision.
Anthony Martial also made it on the scoresheet. His goal was arguably the best of them all. His curling effort from 25 yards out sailed past Ramsdale to make the game 3-1 at half time.
Manchester United’s front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood have had a prolific season in front of goal. They have scored 55 goals between the three of them. As a comparative tool, Liverpool’s infamous front three have 51.
Bruno Fernandes also chipped in with a goal. His sumptuous free-kick flew past Ramsdale mid-way through the second half.
Manchester United’s attacking play was sensational and is the driving force for them charging into fourth place. They will hope to carry on this sensational form into the rest of the season to secure Champions League football.
Questionable Defending
Despite United’s attack being undoubtedly superior, their defensive display was far from reassuring. Stanislas’ opener was an embarrassing moment for both Harry Maguire and David De Gea and it simply should not have happened.
The second half started just as calamitous at the back. Harry Maguire sloppily gave the ball away before Dominic Solanke gave the ball to Danjuma. He then struck the ball onto the post.
Moments later United gave away a penalty. Nemanja Matic played a loose ball back to Eric Bailly. Bailly handled the ball and VAR gave the penalty. However, the decision was contentious as it appeared to hit Bailly’s shoulder just outside the box. Nevertheless, Josh King dispatched the penalty to make the United defence’s faces go red.
Bournemouth also put the ball in the back of the net to equalise. Denjuma received the ball just inside the box and fired past a helpless David De Gea. VAR was not needed to see that he was in an offside position. Again, from a defensive standpoint, Eric Bailly should have dealt with the situation better, and Bournemouth were perilously close to equalising.
Champions League Within Reach
The victory moved Manchester United into the top four before Chelsea‘s game. Leicester City’s victory over Crystal Palace means that they re still three points above Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
With United’s confidence sky-high after recent results, they will feel that the Top Four is theirs to lose. The goalscoring threat they have instils fear into opposing defences from minute one. However, if they are to secure European football, they must defend better than they did today. A better calibre of opposition would have taken advantage of some clumsy mistakes at the back. Overall, Solskjaer will be pleased with his side’s performance, particularly his young prodigy Mason Greenwood.
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