Manchester United’s winless run stretched to eight matches in all competitions as they were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford — a defeat that leaves manager Michael Carrick under severe pressure. The loss also leaves United just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth (Credits: BBC Sport)
Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth: Carrick under pressure
Bournemouth took control in the first half, with Rayan and Marcus Tavernier scoring within five minutes of each other before the break. Evanilson added a third in the second half, rounding goalkeeper Senne Lammens to finish into an empty net and complete a commanding away performance for Marco Rose’s side.
It was Bournemouth’s third 3-0 win at Old Trafford in four seasons, and it followed their 3-0 Europa League win over AC Milan just days earlier. For United, the numbers are grim: just two wins in 12 matches this season, against newly promoted Ipswich and Azerbaijani side Sabah.
Bruno Fernandes benched as Carrick faces the sack
The pre-match talking point was Carrick’s decision to drop captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench, days after the midfielder criticised the manager’s tactics following Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. Carrick insisted the call was made purely on footballing grounds, but Fernandes stayed on the bench for the entire match.
Bournemouth fans taunted Carrick with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, while Carrick’s lengthy applause towards the United supporters after full time was widely read as a possible farewell gesture. Pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both suggested his time may be up, with Carragher saying United “need to make that decision tonight”.
Carrick himself struck a defiant but uncertain tone afterwards, saying: “It’s a tough situation. What is next? I don’t know. I’ll always do what’s best for this football club.” For now, his future hangs in the balance as United’s crisis deepens.
Also Read: Michael Carrick’s Manchester United Future Under Major Threat After 3-0 Bournemouth Defeat | Fernandes Left Out as Man Utd Hammered 3-0 by Bournemouth — How They Rated
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
