Manchester United have beaten Bournemouth 1-0 at Old Trafford. A Lukaku header in the first half proved to be the winner as United rebounded well from derby disappointment.
It was a crucial game for United, as they looked to regain some momentum after the tough loss against City on the weekend. Mourinho fiddled with the lineup, and caught the attention of many with his starting XI. Jones came back into the team, returning from injury. Luke Shaw got the nod at left back, getting his first start of the PL season. 21 year old Scott McTominay was given a starting role as well, as Mourinho put faith in the youth academy graduate to perform under pressure in a key fixture. The front 3 was standard enough, as Lukaku was flanked by Lingard and Martial.
There was a raucous start to the match, as Lingard attempted an overhead kick within the first minute, but it sailed well wide of the goal.
McTominay got a welcome to the Premier League when Stanislas nutmegged him with a brilliant turn.
United grew into the game, and created the first major chance. Martial picked up the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and dinking a ball toward the back post. Mata, Lukaku, and Lingard were all in the area but none of the three could get a head on it.
Manchester kept pilling on the pressure, and were able to grab a goal as a result. Martial kickstarted the move, dribbling down the wing before finding Mata in space. The Spaniard turned, and whipped in a peach of a cross to the back post, where Lukaku rose highest to head the ball into the back of the net.
De Gea was forced into a save right before the half. Fraser looked like he was setting up to cross, but smashed a shot toward the near post. De Gea was in position, and palmed it away.
Shaw became a focal point in the match, bombing forward on the left wing whenever the opportunity arose. He got crosses off in good positions, but the Bournemouth defence was up to the task.
Rashford came on for Martial for the umpteenth time this season, while Ander Herrera replaces Lingard to shore up the midfield.
Rashford almost got on the scoresheet, but his long range blast smashed off the underside of the bar before bouncing out of play.
David De Gea continued to prove that he is the best goalkeeper in the world when he saved a hard hit shot from Defoe at the near post.
Bournemouth had a chance to equalize late, when a cross was whipped to the back post, but neither Bournemouth striker could make good contact with the header.
That proved to be the last chance of the game, as United held on for a 1-0 victory.
Manchester United’s next match is on Sunday, as the Red Devils travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom.
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