The Cherries will improve against the top sides

The Cherries had some hard matches last year against the top teams. Against Man Utd though they did not freeze like they have done in the past at times. I was fairly pleased with how the side played in the first half and had they not have conceded in the way they did I was expecting a really tight game right to the end.

Staying in games is something that the side did not always do well last season. They threw some games away early on and there was some pleasure in seeing the side hold out much more comfortably against Man Utd for a long period of the game without coming under mounting pressure. While the 4-3-3 formation did not give AFCB the attacking power that Eddie Howe might ave expected, it did look a midfield that was working well against a strong United side. At times it is frustrating that the ball is not payed up quicker or out wide, but these players are still moulding themselves into a new side and there is bound to be a while before the team operates more smoothly.

Artur was kept busy against Man United.

The form of Artur Boruc is something that also should not go unnoticed. Some may say he could have done better with Ibrahimovic's goal that went through Steve Cook's legs, but it was hit with power and well directed. Apart from that I felt Artur did more than was expected of him in saving the shot from Mata before he scored and saving the Ibrahimovic free kick as well as coming for crosses. If he keeps that up he will give AFCB every chance of getting a clean sheet. Distribution is my only worry with him and while he looked worried when Utd stopped his easy passing options for goal kicks he tried to take things calmly and look for another option rather than take a risk which I thought was good.