OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER — Manchester United were embarrassed at home as they were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth in the Premier League on December 9.
Just three days on from a stirring home win over Chelsea, the Red Devils were once more left red-faced as their clinical visitors made the most of their chances in miserable weather in Manchester.
The Cherries’ historic win sees them join Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur as the only teams to beat United at Old Trafford by three or more in the league since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager in 2013.
Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦 Manchester United after their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth 😬
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 9, 2023
🗣️ "There is absolutely no identity in this team whatsoever. I have no idea what they're trying to do."#OptusSport #PL pic.twitter.com/YGMFaCxU8Q
Dominic Solanke gave the visitors the lead with a cute finish after just five minutes when his flick to the far corner nutmegged Harry Maguire and beat Andre Onana. There was then a mismatch at the back post in the second half when Luke Shaw was tasked with defending an aerial threat by Philip Billing. Needless to say, the six-foot-three Denmark international went on to head past Onana.
Bournemouth then rubbed salt in United's wounds minutes later when Marcos Senesi was left unmarked from a corner. It truly was schoolboy-level defending from United, who only escaped a 4-0 defeat when a late goal was disallowed for handball.
Andoni Iraola has previously proved he is capable of beating Man United when the odds are against him. In 2012, the Basque manager served as the captain of the Athletic Bilbao squad during Marcelo Bielsa's tenure as they eliminated Sir Alex Ferguson's United from the Europa League. It was only a month ago that rumours hinted at a potential sacking for Iraola after a woeful run of form, but he has since gone on to turn it around with a run of five games unbeaten since being battered by Manchester City 6-1.
While it's impossible to lose a match before kickoff, Erik ten Hag's selection of Anthony Martial in the starting XI encouraged Bournemouth's defenders an hour before a ball was kicked. The Frenchman's first-half performance summed up United's season yet he somehow came out to start the second. He only lasted 10 minutes after the break and was subsequently substituted for Rasmus Hojlund, whose search for a league goal continues.
Next up for United in the league is a trip to Anfield, a daunting place at the best of times for the Red Devils, and they will be without their captain Bruno Fernandes who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. Before then, Bayern Munich visit Old Trafford in a match that will decide their Champions League fate.
Ten Hag takes full responsibility for defeat
United conceded yet another first-half goal and that set them back within the first five minutes. While Ten Hag is the man to prepare his players for the match, he cannot physically step onto the pitch and perform for his side and he willingly shouldered the blame for his squad's failure.
He said: "As a group, we have to improve and get tougher, and be ready from the start. In this league, you can't not be playing on the highest levels or you will get killed.
"I've to take responsibility for it. We are really inconsistent. As a squad, we are not good enough to be consistent."
The Dutchman was also asked whether it's possible for Anthony Martial to continue as a forward for Man United after another toothless performance from him. Ten Hag replied: "He has absolutely the ability to play, it isn't fair after this performance to go to one player. We failed as a group altogether."
What is Man United's heaviest home defeat?
Manchester United's largest-ever home defeat in history stands at a six-goal margin, which has only happened three times throughout the club's past.
The first instance dates back to 1914 when Aston Villa came away with a resounding 6-0 victory. That humbling experience then got worse a few years down the line when Newcastle United took home a 7-1 win in 1927 and Huddersfield Town also won 6-0 in 1930.
In more recent years, their arch rivals Manchester City famously stunned Sir Alex Ferguson's side 6-1 in the 2011/12 season. Jose Mourinho's Tottenham duplicated that scoreline in 2020, although there were no supporters to witness that result as the game happened behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
Arguably an even more embarrassing defeat came at the hands of Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp's side ran riot in October 2021 and won 5-0.
#MUFC have now lost more Premier League home games since Sir Alex Ferguson retired (35) than they did during his 21 seasons in charge (34). pic.twitter.com/p6Aw4PjbaN
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 9, 2023
MORE: Is Raphael Varane leaving Man United?
Man United vs Bournemouth final score
| Final score | Goalscorers | |
| Man United | 0 | — |
| Bournemouth | 3 | Solanke 5', Billing 68', Senesi 73' |
Man United vs Bournemouth lineups
Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen all remain out for United. Marcus Rashford reportedly missed training on Friday due to illness and only makes the bench.
Rasmus Hojlund, who started against Chelsea, is also on the bench and Anthony Martial takes his place.
Man United starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Onana (GK) — Dalot, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon — Amrabat, McTominay — Garnacho, Fernandes, Antony — Martial.
Man United subs (12): Bayindir, Varane, Evans, Wan-Bissaka, Pellistri, van de Beek, Mainoo, Rashford, Hojlund.
Iraola is still missing seven first-team players from his Bournemouth squad with no changes likely on that front until the start of 2024.
The Spanish coach has kept rotations to a minimum during their positive streak of results and he could stick with an unchanged starting team at Old Trafford.
Bournemouth starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Neto (GK) — Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez — Christie, Cook — Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier — Solanke.
Bournemouth subs (12): Travers, Mepham, Brooks, Rothwell, Ouattara, Sinisterra, Moore, Kilkenny, Billing.
How to watch Man United vs Bournemouth: TV channel, live stream
Here's how to watch this Premier League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Peacock |
| Canada | — | |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | Hotstar VIP, JioTV |
USA: This Premier League game is available on the Peacock Network.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via Fubo in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
UK: This match is not available for live broadcast due to the Saturday 3pm embargo. BBC Radio 5Live will provide full radio commentary of the match.
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA
