Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba were the stars of the show once again as they led the way in Manchester United's 4-1 win over Bournemouth, securing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a third successive win since taking charge.
2018/2019 Premier League
4-1
Match Reports
Manchester United closed to within three points of Arsenal thanks to another impressive display in a 4-1 win over Bournemouth.
United continued to play with the freedom and zip which has so far characterised the post-Jose Mourinho era, with Pogba and Rashford - who have impressed under caretaker boss Solskjaer - key components as the Red Devils wrapped up 2018 by closing to within three points of fifth-placed Arsenal.
A moment of inspiration from Rashford saw Pogba open the scoring early on for the home side, and the pair added further first-half goals to put United in a commanding position.
Match Events
5'GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Bournemouth (Pogba)
GOOOAAALLL!!! MAN UNITED 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH! Pogba picks up from where he left off against Huddersfield by edging the home side into an early lead. The France midfielder profits from some brilliant footwork from Rashford, who takes the ball past two men out wide before teeing up his team-mate for a simple sliding finish from three yards.
33'GOAL! Man Utd 2-0 Bournemouth (Pogba)
GOOOAAALLLL!!! MAN UNITED 2-0 BOURNEMOUTH! Pogba really is on fire, scoring his second goal of the game and his fourth in two matches. Herrera's cross is crying out to be attacked, and the France midfielder gets between Ake and Cook to power a header past Begovic.
45'GOAL! Man Utd 3-0 Bournemouth (Rashford)
GOOOOAAALLL!! MAN UNITED 3-0 BOURNEMOUTH! Solskjaer's men have a third before half-time! Rashford, who created the first goal with a sublime assist, gets an outstretched leg on the end of Martial's flicked cross to surely seal all three points for the home side.
47'GOAL! Man Utd 3-1 Bournemouth (Ake)
GOOOAAALLL!!! MAN UNITED 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH! For all of United's attacking strengths, they are simply unable to keep a clean sheet. Ake, who missed a good chance earlier in the half to draw his side level, guides a header past De Gea following some impressive work from Brooks.
72'GOAL! Man Utd 4-1 Bournemouth (Lukaku)
GOOOAAALLL!! MAN UNITED 4-1 BOURNEMOUTH! Lukaku marks his return to action with a goal just a couple of minutes after being introduced from the bench. The Belgium striker's eighth league goal against Bournemouth is a well taken one, hooking the ball past Begovic after getting on the end of Pogba's lofted through-ball.
79'Red Card! Bailly sent off
A blemish to what has otherwise been another good day for United under Solskjaer, as Bailly is shown a straight red for diving in on Fraser with both feet off the ground. A stupid challenge, leaving the referee with little choice.
Match Ratings
Line-ups
Man Utd XI: A. Young, N. Matić, David de Gea, A.Herrera, V. Lindelöf, P. Pogba, L.Shaw, A.Martial, J. Lingard, Bailly, M. Rashford
Subs: M. Fellaini, S. Romero, Darmian, J.Mata, R. Lukaku, P. Jones, A.Pereira
Bournemouth XI: Surman, A. Begović, Daniels, Stanislas, Wilson, J.King, S.Cook, Aké, Ibe, D.Rico, D. Brooks
Subs: A. Boruc, Defoe, Fraser, T.Mings, Mousset, J. Lerma, J.Simpson