Louis van Gaal blames set pieces after Manchester United suffer poor defeat at Bournemouth

United again struggled to create chances

(AP)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal blamed his team's defending from set-pieces as the reason for defeat at Bournemout.

Junior Stanislas put the Cherries in front direct from a corner in the first half before Marouane Fellaini equalised, then Joshua King scored the winner after escaping his marker and tapping in for the simplest close-range finish as United lost 2-1.

"Again, two set pieces like against Wolfsburg," Van Gaal told Sky Sports after the loss. "We give a lot of attention to our organisation but they had a few variations, I have to say but still it cannot be, I think. I thought the first half we played rather well, we created chances, we score a goal and I had a feeling that we could win in the second half.

"But then again a set play and there you are behind in the score and it is very difficult to have a revival and I think the players have done everything. But I have to say Bournemouth were pressing on the ball in an impressive way, and it makes it more difficult to get the equaliser.

"It is not new (the pressure), but if you believe in this manager or not because that is the most important thing. Last year the fans showed their belief but for me the most important thing is the commitment of my players."

The corner routines was also a theme for Eddie Howe.

"We've tried a load of them (set pieces) this season, sometimes, majority of the time they don't come off so to see one come off and win us the game was hugely satisfying," said the Bournemouth boss.

"For us, it's just been a brilliant week. The preparation for this game was difficult with the news for Harry Arter and his family. I really want to pay tribute to his family and how he played, and how courageous he was in his performance. I thought he was magnificent.

"Pace is such an important thing in any league but even more so in the Premier League so I think those two players (King and Stanislas) have had a huge impact in just changing the balance of the team. Everyone is contributing but I think the real feature today was the work ethic of the whole team. Whenever you play Manchester United and Chelsea you know you won't have much of the ball, but I think we were very good in two games."