Bournemouth vs Manchester United match report: Josh King sees Cherries shock Van Gaal and United

Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 1

(Getty Images)

The only previous time Bournemouth beat Manchester United they celebrated with champagne in the team bath. That was 31 years ago. The communal bath is long gone at Dean Court and their players refuel with energy gels these days, but the celebrations were no less bubbly after this victory.

United may not be playing with much style this season, but this was only their third League defeat. They may have injuries, but so have Bournemouth. Thus, if this result was not such a shock as that 1984 FA Cup tie, when the Cherries were in the third tier, it was still a triumph to savour.

Their manager, Eddie Howe was a 17-year-old apprentice, seven months short of his Bournemouth debut, when Louis van Gaal won the Champions League with Ajax 20 years ago. Yesterday he outthought the veteran. Hapless goalkeeping and defending were United’s undoing, but they were second-best all over the pitch against better balanced, more committed opposition.

Injuries and suspension gave United an unfamiliar look, especially in defence. The only experienced player was centre-back Daley Blind, himself oft played in midfield or left-back. Alongside him Paddy McNair, aged 20 and making his 15th first-team start, was a veteran compared to full-backs Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 18, and Guillermo Varela. Both were making their first Premier League starts, though in the case of Varela, 22 years old and a £2.4 million signing two years ago, it was somewhat overdue.

Phil Jones and Morgan Schneiderlin were on the bench, though that was more an indication of United’s limited resources than their fitness to play. It would be stretching a point, however, to describe United as threadbare. Even with three youth products the starting XI cost in excess of £200m, and at least that much more than the opposition. Bournemouth, missing their three most expensive acquisitions, one of whom is their leading striker, plus their captain, are down to their bare bones.

Howe’s approach has been not to moan about the players who are injured but to savour the opportunities it offers to the fit. One who has seized his is Junior Stanislaus, and he will long remember the goal that turbo-charged this game into brisk life as early as the second minute.

A tricky free-kick by the striker forced a corner, which he curled towards the area. The swirling wind caught the ball and, to the discomfort of David de Gea, who got a hand to the ball, it looped in off the far post with Stanislaus looking as surprised as anyone.

It was a traumatic start for United given the difficult week they have had and the inexperience in the side, yet they were undaunted, and but for Artur Boruc would have quickly levelled. A Juan Mata free-kick fell kindly for Marouane Fellaini but Boruc not only saved his volley by spreading himself well, but he also turned aside McNair’s careful header from the rebound.

Junior Stanislas' corner went straight in (Getty Images)

Stanislaus then returned to being the centre of the action, but with less success as a misdirected pass set Anthony Martial free on goal after 17 minutes. Back in September the Frenchman would have buried the chance, but the goals have dried up, and to Stanislaus’s relief he dragged his effort wide. Then Stanislaus himself went clear, but De Gea, redeeming himself, took the ball off his toes.

That was a rare break as United had begun to control the game, with Bournemouth dropping deeper and deeper. This was foolish as it gave Michael Carrick time on the ball, never a good idea for opponents. Midway through the half he picked out a borderline offside Memphis Depay behind Adam Smith. Boruc again saved but this time Fellaini, despite being forced to dribble on his knees at one point, scored.

United had to bring on another rookie when Jesse Lingard was injured. His replacement, the Brazilian-Belgian Andreas Pereira, was soon booked for fouling the busy Stanislaus.

Fellaini levelled from close range (Getty Images)

United continued to dominate possession but, as so often this season, struggled to create clear chances. Instead it was Bournemouth, on the counterattack, who had the best opportunities.

Either side of the break King shot wide from a Stanislaus cross and De Gea had to beat away a Simon Francis drive. That led to a corner which Ritchie pulled back to King, left unmarked after a flurry of movement from the home players. The former United striker finished sweetly. Dean Court erupted again.

They were on their feet again 17 minutes later as Dan Gosling released Glenn Murray, who turned neatly inside McNair. The goal gaped, but he blasted over it. The fans sat down again.

Van Gaal brought on Nick Powell, one of the lost talents of English football, and deployed him in the centre-forward role he last played at Crewe.

Joshua King celebrates what turned out to be the winner (Getty)

Such was United’s approach play he could have been Ruud van Nistelrooy in his pomp and it would not have made any difference. United, once renowned for their late goals, were bereft of ideas and went meekly, which may be the most damning aspect of all.

Bournemouth: (4-1-4-1) Boruc; Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels; Surman; Ritchie, Arter (O’Kane, 86), Gosling, Stanislaus; King (Murray, 65).

Manchester United: (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Varela, McNair (Jones, 90), Blind, Borthwick-Jackson; Carrick, Fellaini (Powell, 74); Lingard (Pereira, 31), Mata, Martial, Depay.

Referee: Anthony Taylor.

Man of the match: Stanislaus (Bournemouth)

Match rating: 7/10