Pogba unwraps Bournemouth at Old Trafford 4-1

Match Report

Man Utd 4 v 1 AFCB

30 December 2018

Attendance: 74, 556

The Cherries found it tough going at Old Trafford right from the start. Paul Pogba controlled the game and put United 2-0 up, before Rashford added a third and we were not even at half-time. It was a lifeline when Aké headed past de Gea on 45+2 minutes, but comebacks have been in short supply of late for Bournemouth. The presence of Lukaku coming on cut any hopes of a revival for the Cherries and the lead was extended to 4-1, even if there was time for Eric Baily to receive his marching orders for a red card challenge on Ryan Fraser.

Bournemouth made three changes with with King up front while, and Ibe and Rico also coming into the team. Jefferson Lerma and Ryan Fraser were moved to the bench, perhaps with the Watford game in mind, while Simon Francis is out for the season. The formation would be 3-5-2.

No points from the Theatre of Dreams for AFCB.

An early free kick for United floated over Matic and out for a goal kick. Bournemouth were not able to play out form the back and Begovic went long. Ibe and Brooks got a few early touches, but possession was falling to United in the main.

Rashford took on Aké our wide beat him and got to the byline where he beats Rico and has pulled the ball back for Pogba who slides on to make it 1-0 up on five minutes. It was all too simple for United. Rico and Aké looked like statues as Rashford weaved his way past them.

Martial almost made it through the middle but Begovic gets there first. Bournemouth's midfield was non-existent. Bournemouth are not able to get the ball out of their half.

Stanislas and Wilson do well and Ibe gets the corner from Luke Shaw. Trying to set up Rico the ball gets cut out and Man Utd break with Begovic punching to beat Pogba.

Pogba heads looking for Rashford and Begovic sees it just creep past the post, thanks to a touch from Aké. Surman heads it away.

Bournemouth are playing very slowly from the back. They just can't push out. Brooks plays a long ball forward for Wilson to stretch his legs and he wins a throw.  Brooks tries to beat a defender but ends up on his backside.

Bournemouth come forward on 20 minutes with a cross from Rico but Wilson is beaten to the header and united clear. Wilson again on the left finds Stanislas and Ibe. Ibe fires in a cross come shot but it's just wide of the left post.

Meanwhile, Steve Cook gets attention for a head knock. Aké gives the ball away but recovers. Stanislas goes for a long shot but it's well wide. Still, better stuff from Bournemouth. They are starting to string some passes together.

Akee just beats Rashford and plays it back to Begovic. King puts in a good ball and Herrera just beats  Stanislas to it and it's out for a corner on 25 minutes. Aké heads well and it comes off de Gea's chest and shoulder!

Pogba has a go from distance but only finds Begovic's mid-rift. King wins the ball before Surman loses it. United are keeping the ball better again Shaw tips a ball forward for Pogba but Begovic wins the race.

Stanislas to Ibe and Brooks, before Ibe gets it back. Bournemouth are just losing out on the 50:50 battles, 32 minutes gone. Wilson is not getting a lot of ball up front.

Ashley Young plays it back to Herrera on the right, who  puts in a deep cross from the right and Pogba gets between Akee and Cook and makes it 2-0 on 33 minutes. Pogba beat Begovic with his head to the punch and Bournemouth have a mountain to climb. Pogba simply wanted to get there first and he did.

Ashley Young is carded for a foul on Josh King, over the top of the ball. It's a free kick on the byline. Steve Cook goes for the header and it's a corner off of Herrera. Aké goes down, thrown there by Lindëlof, and King gets targeted by Bailly. Those kind of fouls were penalties in the World Cup last summer.

Long throw and King shoots, but de Gea makes the save top right. Aké has to get a foot in as United come close again. It's a United corner on 40 minutes. Brooks and Wilson break until Pogba intervenes.

Martial wins a free kick off of Aké. Young takes and Matic stands on the ball but runs out of room. Brooks and Shaw beats King in the foot race. Just a couple of minutes to go before half-time.

A cross to the far post from Pogba and Rashford scores to make it 3-0. Bournemouth didn't mark nearly close enough and it's another dismal half for Bournemouth.

Short corner for Bournemouth. They've messed it up, but Brooks recovers. Brooks now, left-footed cross and Aké scores - 3-1. Brooks did well to find Ake's and the header is well placed past de Gea. At least Bournemouth are on the board!

Advertisement

Coastal Garden Buildings

Second half
Bournemouth win an early long throw with Steve Cook, Stanislas gets ready to hit it but is closed down. Rico stretches his legs but can't quite keep the ball in.

Bournemouth are keeping the ball. Shaw gets a good tackle in and Rashford finds Herrera but his shot goes out for a corner. Brooks concedes another corner. Herrera pulls Stanislas' shirt and is rightly booked.

Bournemouth under pressure manage to find touch. Begovic drops a cross but recovers. brooks now and Rico on the left. Stanislas backs off to Daniels and Brooks comes in field. King almost takes a good pas from Akee' but he can't get it under control.

Lingardis flagged offside. Rashfrd over hist his cross on 54 minutes. The subs are warming up. Wilson holds the ball up. Ibe's cross is cleared.

Martial against Steve Cook but it's out for a goal kick. Daniels wins a free kick off of Herrera. Stanislas and King. Rico runs into Matic.

Lingard in down the left and plays it back to Rashford and Pogba. Young is offside. Pogba's back on the ball but Young can't keep the ball in play. Rashford is down, caught by Rico, 63 minutes gone.

Rico gets a foot in. Brooks plays it up to King and Bailly wins a free kick. Pogba is free and plays in Rashford and Begovic makes a good save down to his right.

AFCB bring on Lys Mousset and Ryan Fraser. Brooks is subbed and Wilson goes off to let on Fraser on 65 minutes.

Fraser has lost the ball. United under pressure at the back but Herrera cleared up. Ibe on the right and Mousset goes down in the box but it's no foul. Steve Cook goes forward and King meets it in his stride but the shot hist Bailly's heel and goes out for a corner.

Daniels needs attention having run into Bailly. The studs were right into Daniels' chest area. Lukaku is on and off goes Rashford on 71 minutes.

Pogba plays a ball over the top and Lukaku is on to it and he's beaten Begovic, hooking it past him. It's 4-1 on 72 minutes.

Lingard in the box pulls it back to Pogba and his shot is touched onto the post by Begovic's right hand. Man United sub Herrera and bring Pereira on after 76 minutes. Lukaku and Aké in a race and Aké puts the ball out.

Fraser is caught by Eric Bailly and he's off - red card on 80 minutes. United are down to 10-men. 

Martial is replaced by Phil Jones on 82 minutes. Aké is coming off and Tyrone Mings replaces him.  Mousset and Stanislas and United have it on the break. 

Fraser plays it up to Surman who has a shot but it's wide. We are just playing out time now. Rico puts in a cross straight to De Gea.

Four minutes of time have been added. Pogba has a shot blocked.

Summary
This was a better attempt by Bournemouth in an away fixture than their previous outing. Picking points up at a top six team still too much for AFCB. This time they got a goal but Howe will not be impressed with some of the goals that were conceded even with United's talented front players. The lack of a regular central-midfield pairing is starting to show and the defenders are finding themselves exposed too regularly. But Bournemouth found some passing again in this game and will be pleased to have a home match coming up against a mid-table team.

AFCB line up

Boruc, Simpson, Mings, Lerma, Fraser, Mousset, Defoe.

AFCB Ratings
Begovic 6, S Cook 6, Aké 6, Daniels 5, Ibe 4, Surman 4, Brooks 5, Stansilas 4, Rico 6, King 5, Wilson 5

Cherry Chimes' MOM: Steve Cook just, but Aké recovered well after the first goal.

Referee Watch Lee Mason: 2/10 AFCB could have had a penalty with another referee - Aké should have been awarded a penalty and Daniels took a high foot from Eric Bailly in the box.

Man Utd
De Gea, Young, Bailly (sent off 80), Lindelöf, Shaw, Herrera (Perairre 76), Matic, Pogba, Lingard, Rashford (Lukaku 71), Martial (Jones 82)

Man Utd Subs
Jones, Mata, Lukaku, Pereira, Romero, Fellaini, Darmian