Manchester United defeated Bournemouth by a 0-1 scoreline to move closer to securing Champions League qualification next season.
With only nine minutes remaining in the first half, Erik Ten Hag’s team scored first thanks to absolute dominance. Although it first appeared that Christian Eriksen’s lofted pass had been intercepted, Casemiro’s stunning acrobatic finish gave the Reds the lead.
In the second half, United had a few opportunities to increase our lead, but the Cherries’ defence kept us from doing so.
The victory was ultimately won by a similarly strong defence from our own backline, including a late one-on-one save by Golden Glove winner David de Gea.
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The Reds were under some early Bournemouth pressure as they emerged into the scorching heat wearing our brilliant green third kit in front of their enthusiastic home crowd.
Finished with confidence by @Casemiro 🇧🇷
🙌 @RemingtonUK#MUFC || #BOUMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 20, 2023
However, United quickly gained control of the match and Casemiro sent our first shot towards goal, which the Brazilian blasted over. Later, Fernandes attempted a similar manoeuvre, but his own long shot missed the target.
Ten Hag’s team entered the contest with a genuine feeling of professionalism, and in the ninth minute took a merited lead. Eriksen floated a pass into the space Casemiro was entering inside the box after some deft play on the fringe of the area.
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Marcos Senesi first appeared to have intercepted the pass, but he later set up our no. 18 for an amazing finish in which he hooked the ball over his head and slammed it beyond Neto between the poles.
We were able to settle in and control possession after the opening goal. Eriksen attempted to score a second goal after contributing to the first one by grabbing hold of Antony’s ball. The Dane saw everything clearly but was only able to observe.
The Cherries worked their way back into the game late in the half, with David Brooks at the centre of the action, despite the fact that they may have dominated most of the opening 45 minutes. The away team’s greatest opportunity came from Dominic Solanke, whose fizzed shot De Gea parried.
Casemiro attempted to increase his score and our advantage at the opposite end of the pitch with a low-driven shot from just beyond the area, but Neto swiftly dived to save his shot. After a spirited first half, United went into the intermission with a goal advantage.
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The Cherries came out in the second half looking to win the game and made a strong statement of purpose by advancing and charging at United’s goal.
De Gea turned the ball over after Brooks struck it as it meandered towards him. The Reds successfully cleared the ensuing corner.
A few minutes later, Bournemouth’s star player Solanke advanced to the byline before slicing a teaser shot straight across the goal. No one on his team followed it in to give it the finishing touch, which would have undoubtedly sent it into the goal.
After Wout Weghorst’s half-volley through a sea of defenders in the second half forced a brilliant save from Neto, Ten Hag’s men quickly regained control of the game.
Ten minutes later, Fernandes’ exquisite volley appeared headed for the top corner, but the Bournemouth shot-stopper was alert to save it.
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Premier League Top 4 race:
🏟️ ⚽ 🔢
🥉 Newcastle – 36 – +35 – 69 pts
4️⃣ ManUtd – 36 – +11 – 69 pts
5️⃣ Liverpool – 37 – + 28 – 66 ptsGetting tense. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/kq5VCeaLRr
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 20, 2023
The home team continued to press for an equaliser until the very end, and De Gea—who had already been named the Golden Glove winner—stepped up to deny Kieffer Moore in a one-on-one situation.
With virtually the final kick of the game, Senesi also came dangerously close to stealing a point away from us, but his volley landed on the top of David’s net.
We now just need one point from our next two games to guarantee a top-four finish this season thanks to a crucial three points and a draw involving Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield.
