Romelu Lukaku’s first-half goal became the difference as Manchester United bounced back from their Manchester Derby defeat with a narrow Premier League victory over Bournemouth.
United had a 40-match unbeaten home run in all competitions ended by Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday but got back to winning ways, thanks to a first-half Lukaku bullet header from Juan Mata’s cross. Substitute Marcus Rashford rattled the crossbar from 35 yards out with a thunderous effort midway through the second period, but the single goal was enough for United to seal the vital three points at Old Trafford.
Lukaku could have doubled his tally but had an effort pushed away by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Anthony Martial lashed the follow-up over from close range.
Jose Mourinho’s side, nonetheless, failed to make any inroads on unbeaten league leaders City, who battered Swansea 4-0 to maintain their 11-point lead.
Visitors Bournemouth caused plenty of problems for United but were unable to find a way past David de Gea, who produced a fantastic save at the near post from Ryan Fraser’s cross-shot. The hosts were second best for much of the contest and had just two shots on target, as Mourinho maintained his record of not losing consecutive games at home as a manager.
Despite the poor performance given United’s standards, defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Scott McTominay impressed on the night. Shaw, given his first league start in seven months, picked up from where he left off against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, while McTominay made his first league start.
United fans gave a mixed reaction on Twitter to an all-important win. Here’s how the fans reacted to the result.
Manchester United win ✅
Lukaku scores ✅
Angel Gomes signs a new contract ✅
Today’s been a good day. pic.twitter.com/eWXYwYDwAa
— Ryan (@Vintage_Utd) December 13, 2017
Did you enjoy watching that crap? Yeah we won but that was boring as hell
— Dex (@DexterUnited) December 13, 2017
Felt like an away game for @manutd
Poor again. And at home.— Nathan Titus ネイサン (@nathanstitus) December 13, 2017
This is getting worrying now….I am glad we won but jesus christ Bournemouth had more shots than us this whole defensive style is actually starting to get annoying
— Hyper Shane (@Hyper_Shane) December 13, 2017
an accurate representation of our attack tonight pic.twitter.com/Ds0D6cEzjE
— Evan Enzeo (@EnzeoMusic) December 13, 2017
Not a great performance but at least we got the result. Let’s push on from this!
— J.A.O (@JuanAnderOnly) December 13, 2017
Another poor team performance but Lukaku secured us another 3 points. Deserves some credit for that. We scored out of nothing. Mourinho has to change something in his tactics. #ATTACK
— Romelu (@RedRom9) December 13, 2017
Jose still playing the way that utd should♂ we may never have won games under van gaal like this but ffs its pitiful to watch just the same, fair play to the fans there tonight again to watch that shite in that weather
— Aaron Hamilton (@AaronDGH82) December 13, 2017
Its very obvious now we need pogba in all our games. Sad to say but without pogba we are an average team
— Osunde andrew (@osundeandrew20) December 13, 2017
Its good that we won but it’s a boring 90 min. I don’t understand is this our manager’s fault or simply we don’t have quality players? Fans deserve better.
— Sidharth (@Sidart61_ssd) December 13, 2017
No fighting spirit, bad performance, i think this season this team can’t win the league
— pit upit (@Dwicky_putra) December 13, 2017
That match felt like watching Raw is War after a Pay Per View
— Paul warwick (@Paulwarwick84) December 13, 2017