Manchester United hosted Bournemouth at Old Trafford as the team looked to extend their winning streak since club football resumed.
Erik ten Hag fielded a much changed starting XI. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof came on for Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia, who were rested by the manager.
Donny van de Beek started in the playmaker role in place of Bruno Fernandes, who was put on the right wing ahead of Antony.
Ten Hag confirmed that Antony missed the game against Bournemouth through injury.
Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Bournemouth.
emphatic first tense
United were easily the dominant side in the first 45 minutes. The team headed into the break with a goal up courtesy of Casemiro.
The Brazilian finished off a superb Christian Eriksen cross to shoot the ball past the Bournemouth keeper.
Highlighting the Red Devils’ supremacy in the first half, Ten Hag’s men finished the period with a mammoth 64% possession to the Cherries’ 36%.
United had five shots on target. Bournemouth, on the other hand, only had two attempts on goal and none fazed David de Gea.
United were solid defensively and did not appear to be in danger of conceding a goal. Maguire and Lindelof were formidable, with their fainting from behind also impressive.
Beyond scoring the goal, Casemiro, as usual for him, controlled the midfield, exercised his authority and shielded the defense with great efficiency. An added bonus was how much he contributed offensively, something he capped off with his excellent finishing in his team’s opener.
Martial and Rashford linked up well with each other and proved to be a constant threat as the Englishman’s back line caused a number of problems for Bournemouth.
Undoubtedly, Ten Hag would have been happy with the performance of his players in the first half and asked for more of the same in the second half of the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is giving Ten Hag a decision to make
While Luke Shaw will no doubt take the rounds in terms of full-backs for his brilliant career that culminated in a goal for United’s second game, Wan-Bissaka was also exceptional.
Wan-Bissaka rejoined the team due to Diogo Dalot’s injury and has seized the opportunity with both hands.
The 25-year-old’s improvement in all of United’s competitive games since the World Cup break ended has been visible to all.
Against Bournemouth, Wan-Bissaka kept the right side well both offensively and defensively. His passing was very good and his decision-making at crucial moments was much better.
The biggest compliment that can be paid to Wan-Bissaka at the moment is that, in Dalot’s absence, he has ensured that the Portuguese has not been greatly missed.
Wan-Bissaka, who a few weeks ago seemed fully destined for a January loan exit, may be forcing Ten Hag to rethink. Not necessarily to keep him in the starting XI when Dalot is fully fit, but at least to stay at Old Trafford for the rest of the season.
He is proving that he is a capable backup to Dalot and has the potential to provide enough cover at the position.
Van de Beek’s injury makes the need to sign in January more urgent
United fans will be waiting with bated breath to learn the nature and extent of Van de Beek’s injury.
The Dutchman had to be taken off during the first half after a heavy collision left him limping and unable to continue.
Hopefully the injury isn’t as bad as it seemed, but it’s ominous that he had to be taken off in tears.
United were already in dire need of an attacking signing to break in during the January transfer window, but this need has been made more desperate by Van de Beek’s injury.
One player of Van de Beek’s profile that United have been linked to is Joao Félix, someone who can play in front of and behind the striker.
Either Félix or another alternative, a signing in attack is essential this month.
