Manchester , December 12 : Manchester United suffered their second successive defeat in the Premier League on Saturday . United’s opponents Bournemouth picked up a second prized Premier League scalp in a week as they beat Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium.
Seven days on from a momentous victory at the home of champions Chelsea, Eddie Howe’s men recorded another memorable win as they beat an injury-plagued United 2-1.
Junior Stanislas scored directly from a second-minute corner for his third in as many games and, although Marouane Fellaini levelled, former United youngster Joshua King wrapped up the win in the second half.
United, on the back of their chastening Champions League exit, missed the chance to move level at the top of the table as they slipped to a third league defeat of the season just days after Louis van Gaal insisted he was the right man to take them forward.
Much has changed for the Cherries since Harry Redknapp guided them to a famous FA Cup giant-killing over United in 1984.
So much so that this is more of a minor upset than massive shock – but United fans will still believe their expectations are not being met by Van Gaal and his side.
Decimated by injuries, United’s defence was certainly inexperienced as full Premier League debutants Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Guillermo Varela joined makeshift centre-back Daley Blind and 20-year-old Paddy McNair at the back.
King never even got as far as making a league appearance for United before signing permanently for Blackburn – but his work-rate and determination came back to haunt his former club.
The hosts were ahead almost straight away as Stanislas’ corner drifted over everyone to nestle in David De Gea’s net with less than three minutes on the clock.
Van Gaal’s men looked for an instant response and Memphis Depay was clipped by Adam Smith with Artur Boruc on hand to magnificently keep out Fellaini and McNair from the resulting free-kick.
United knocked the ball around without truly pushing into Bournemouth’s final third before Anthony Martial was gifted possession by Stanislas, only to send a tame shot wide.
It was United who were profligate in possession moments later as Blind’s pass went straight to Harry Arter, who freed Stanislas but De Gea was on hand to dive at this feet and prevent him doubling his tally.
And United soon made them pay as Depay was played in by a typically astute Michael Carrick pass, controlling on his chest before forcing another smart stop out of Boruc – but the Polish goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Fellaini eventually bundling home the rebound.
The injury woes for United continued as Jesse Lingard was forced off to be replaced by Andreas Pereira before the break.
Bournemouth started in style again in the second-half as Simon Francis, man of the match at Chelsea, belied his position as a centre-back to dance through United’s defence like a seasoned winger and fire at De Gea.
The Spain goalkeeper turned his effort behind but Matt Ritchie’s resulting low corner was swept home by King to put the Cherries back in front.
Fellaini almost levelled again before King had to be substituted due to injury – with Chelsea match-winner Glenn Murray replacing him.
The former Crystal Palace man had two golden chances to seal all three points again but blazed wildly over on both occasions. It would not matter as the hosts hung on for a famous win.
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