Premier League
Pogba Double Helps United Defeat Bournemouth
Manchester United made it three wins out of three under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a comfortable victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and a double from Paul Pogba helped United to all three points.
The Old Trafford side are now just five points behind Arsenal who are in fifth place in the Premier League. The win also meant that Solskjaer joins Sir Matt Busby and Jose Mourinho as the only managers to win their first three games in charge of Manchester United.
For Bournemouth, it capped off a miserable festive period which has seen them concede nine goals in their last two league games.
The Cherries have lost eight of their last ten Premier League games and could well see them dragged into a relegation battle.
While Bournemouth are going backwards, United under Solskjaer are going forwards.
Bright Start From Man Utd
Manchester United got off to the perfect start and took the lead after just four minutes.
Marcus Rashford picked the ball up out wide and brilliantly skipped past Nathan Ake and Diego Rico. He then cut the ball back to Paul Pogba who slid in and diverted the ball past Asmir Begovic in the Bournemouth goal.
United were on the front foot in the early stages. Marcus Rashford came close to doubling their lead after his shot from just inside the box was deflected just wide.
Bournemouth nearly equalised after 25 minutes.
A corner swung in by midfielder David Brooks picked out Nathan Ake inside the box. The Dutchman rose well and headed the ball towards goal, it took a slight deflection of Ander Herrera, which almost deceived David De Gea but the Spaniard was able to punch the ball away.
Just past the half hour, Man Utd doubled their lead. A great ball into the box from Ander Herrera picked out Paul Pogba who powered a header past Begovic and into the net.
Just before half time Manchester United made it three. A brilliant ball over the top from Nemanja Matic picked out Anthony Martial. He delivered a great ball into the box, which found Rashford who stretched out and diverted the ball into the net.
In stoppage time at the end of the first half Bournemouth pulled a goal back.
A dinked ball into the box from David Brooks found Nathan Ake who headed the ball past David De Gea in the United goal.
United Continue On The Front Foot
Manchester United picked up where they left the first half, on the front foot and looking to add to their lead.
On 65 minutes, they nearly did just that. A brilliant through ball by Matic cut open Bournemouth’s midfield and was picked up by Pogba. He played the ball through to Rashford but the English striker’s shot was well saved by Asmir Begovic.
Seven minutes later, Manchester United did make it 4-1.
A brilliant ball over the top from Paul Pogba was well finished by Romelu Lukaku, past the advancing Begovic in the Bournemouth goal.
Paul Pogba almost capped a fantastic performance with his first career hat-trick two minutes later.
However, he was denied by the post following a shot from just outside the box.
With ten minutes remaining Man Utd were reduced to ten men. Eric Bailly was shown a straight red after he flew into a challenge with his studs showing and took out Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Fraser.
Overall it was a comfortable win for Man Utd as their resonance under Solskjaer continues.
Momentum Growing For Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t have wished for a better start as Man Utd manager. Three wins from three and 12 goals scored in the process.
It’s not only the results but the performances which has seen the big improvement. United are more attacking, free-flowing, more exciting to watch and less rigid than they were under Jose Mourinho.
Also, most importantly the players are enjoying playing for Solskjaer. Paul Pogba looks to be a different player and put in a fantastic performance against Bournemouth.
Not only his goals but his array of passing was exceptional.
There will be critics who will say that United have only beaten Cardiff, Huddersfield and a struggling Bournemouth side.
However, you can only beat what is in front of you and United have done that with some style.
Obviously, tougher tests are to come with Tottenham at Wembley in a couple of weeks. Despite, Solskjaer making United more attractive to watch and looking more threatening going forward, one big concern remains the defence.
They haven’t managed a clean sheet under Solskjaer and with tougher games to come that will be a concern.
If the Norwegian can sort out the defence, he may become the permanent manager come May.
Worrying Times For Eddie Howe
This is a worrying period for Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
His side have conceded nine goals in two games against Tottenham and now Man Utd.
Not only that they have lost eight of their last 10 Premier League games. For a season that started so well and had their fans dreaming of a top ten finish, they are now in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.
Bournemouth have a number of injuries to contend with as well and the busy festive period has probably come at the wrong time for them.
They have a massive game against Watford on Wednesday and know they have to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
At the moment, Bournemouth are 11 points above the relegation zone but if they continue their recent form, that gap will close very quickly.
Next up for Man Utd is a trip to St James Park to face Newcastle also on Wednesday.
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
