Manchester United lacked intensity and fight in their 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth, according to Match of the Day pundit Toby Alderweireld, who suggested there is no “togetherness” among the United squad. It was a damning verdict on a side that was booed off at Old Trafford after another humbling home loss.
Manchester United at Old Trafford (Credits: BBC Sport)
United’s afternoon unravelled before half-time. Rayan volleyed Bournemouth ahead from Justin Kluivert’s free-kick in the 38th minute, and four minutes later a slip from Leny Yoro allowed Marcus Tavernier to slot in a second. Evanilson completed the scoring in the second half, sealing a 3-0 win that left the home fans chanting “sacked in the morning” and rounded off a miserable week for Michael Carrick’s side.
Alderweireld: Man Utd Lacked Intensity, Fight and Togetherness
Speaking alongside fellow pundit Ashley Williams on Match of the Day, former Tottenham and Belgium defender Alderweireld did not hide his assessment. United, in his view, were short of the basic qualities any team needs — intensity, fight and a sense of playing for each other. The word he reached for was “togetherness”, and its absence, he suggested, was visible all over the pitch.
The context makes the criticism sting more. United had already lost 4-1 away to Como in midweek, a seventh game without a win at the time, and captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped to the bench by Carrick after publicly criticising the manager’s tactics — and never came on. What the team needed was a response; what it produced, in Alderweireld’s reading, was a side that looked neither together nor up for the fight.
What Man Utd’s 3-0 Bournemouth Defeat Means for Carrick
The numbers underline the scale of the problem. The defeat stretches United’s winless run and leaves them in 16th place, a single point above the relegation zone, in what is now their worst start to a league season in over 40 years. Bournemouth, by contrast, have now won 3-0 at Old Trafford for the third time in four seasons, and their third win in a week.
Carrick walked the pitch at full-time, visibly emotional as he thanked the supporters, while the players were booed off once he had gone down the tunnel. The manager’s authority, his team selection and his side’s spirit are all under scrutiny now — and Alderweireld’s verdict will only add to the noise. United do not just need wins; on this evidence, they need to look like a team again first.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.