Manchester United overcame Bournemouth with a resounding 3-0 win at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The opening goal was scored by season signing Casemiro, while second-half goals from Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford secured all three points for the hosts.
It wasn’t the smoothest performance from Erik ten Hag’s side, but against a poor Cherries team, that proved to be enough.
United building momentum
Victory means United remain fourth in the table, but are currently level on points with third-placed Newcastle United, having played one game less.
The best aspect of the win was United’s Brazilian enforcer’s opening goal that set United on the road to victory. Another set piece goal for the Red Devils.
Eriksen’s deliveries have changed the dynamics of the #MUFC set pieces. Magnificent free kick.
Even so, beautiful end of Casemiro. He made a side volley into the top of the net look simple.
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) January 3, 2023
United were woeful when it came to scoring and defending from set pieces over the past two seasons, but have now scored twice in the space of three league games since the World Cup break.
Both goals had a similar pattern. Christian Eriksen with another perfect delivery and Casemiro ran towards the near post and was not picked up by any Bournemouth defender.
Against Nottingham Forest, it was a similar run to the near post on the blind side of the defense by Rashford that resulted in the opening goal.
Upside set piece conversion
It could have been three goals if Casemiro’s header hadn’t been blocked by a defender during United’s clash with Wolves.
Eriksen had praised Eric Ramsay, the fixtures coach, for figuring out this latest routine which is serving United very well so far.
United had done well to retain Ramsay after he was linked with the managerial vacancy at Barnsley, but Ten Hag’s intervention meant Ramsay remained at Old Trafford.
This is another major change happening under Ten Hag, an aspect that has been lost in the past few seasons.
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