The green shoots of recovery under Erik ten Hag are growing into something altogether more promising for Manchester United.
We are into the New Year and, soon, the second half of the season. Victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford last night saw United move level with third-placed Newcastle in the Premier League table and close to one point behind Manchester City.
If the champions fail to beat Chelsea tomorrow (thurs), victory over City here a week on Saturday will see Ten Hag’s side go above their neighbours in the pursuit of Arsenal.
Manchester United kick-started 2023 with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday night
Rashford has scored for four games in a row since returning from the World Cup in Qatar
Full-back Luke Shaw doubled their advantage with a brilliant team goal in the second-half
Erik ten Hag’s side have moved to within one point of their local rivals Manchester City
There have been far too few meaningful Manchester derbies in the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and that in itself would be a useful barometer of the progress made under the fifth permanent manager to succeed him.
This was a ninth win in 10 games in all competitions for Ten Hag against a Bournemouth side who have now lost seven of their last eight in the league, and a fourth consecutive clean sheet.
United meet Charlton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford next week and kick off their FA Cup campaign against a beleaguered Everton in the FA Cup here on Friday. Next month brings a Europa League knockout tie against Barcelona. There is no reason to think Ten Hag cannot deliver the club’s first silverware in six years.
Signs of improvement are everywhere in this team and last night was no different in the Manchester rain as United won with goals from Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
You can tell momentum is with a manager when his decisions are invariably proved right, and that is thecase with Ten Hag right now
Rashford added United’s third goal late into the game after a lay-off from Fernandes
David De Gea made multiple saves to earn the hosts a clean sheet in the Premier League affair
If there is any criticism, it was that United got a little sloppy after Shaw made it 2-0 within three minutes of the restart. David de Gea was called upon to make several saves, notably from Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony, which left Ten Hag a little grumpy.
‘We didn’t play that smart as a team. It was like a tennis match and we want to play football,’ he added.
‘We could have conceded one or two, and I’m not happy about that because David had to make good saves.’
Asked if United are now title challengers, Ten Hag blew out his cheeks. ‘That’s a big step. The belief is growing and that’s a good signal. If you keep in that philosophy it’s possible, but don’t think too far ahead. It is January, not even half a season.’
United went ahead in the 23rd minute. The goal came from the right boot of Casemiro but owed much to the delivery of Christian Eriksen.
Donny Van de Beek hobbled off during the first-half with a supposed knee injury
Casemiro continued his good form by scoring United’s opener in the match
World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez returned to Old Trafford for the first time since his win
The Dane whipped in a free kick from wide on the left and only Dominic Solanke had vaguely bothered to track Casemiro’s run towards the front post. There was enough pace on the ball that the Brazilian only had to guide it beyond Mark Travers with an assured volley.
Shaw started and finished the move that led to the second goal in the 48th minute. The England defender set off from deep inside his own half and exchanged passes with Rashford before motoring over halfway.
He cut inside and played the ball to Bruno Fernandes who fed substitute Alejandro Garnacho on the overlap and he pulled the ball back to Shaw to turn it home from 12 yards out.
Marcus Rashford continued his fine form with a late goal in the contest at Old Trafford
Billing failed to beat De Gea with a close-range header and Anthony spurned several opportunities to beat the Spaniard, prompting Ten Hag to make a triple substitution and send on Fred, Diogo Dalot and Anthony Elanga as he continued to rotate his squad after the World Cup.
Garnacho clipped a post before Rashford scored for the fourth game in a row since returning from Qatar. Shaw angled a long pass into Fernandes who knocked the ball across for the England forward to score the easiest of the lot in an empty net.
‘There was lots to be pleased with,’ said Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil. ‘No-one wants to lose 3-0 and the boys didn’t deserve to. But if you’re going to lose 3-0, that’s the way to do it.’
Source:dailymail
