EPL: Manchester United Suffer Humiliating 3-0 Defeat to Bournemouth

Manchester United's struggles continued as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving them 13th in the Premier League table.

Manchester United's struggles continued as they suffered a demoralizing 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford, marking the second consecutive year they have lost by this margin to the Cherries at home. This loss, their third in four Premier League games, leaves United reeling and Ruben Amorim's men with much to ponder.

The Red Devils will spend Christmas in a disappointing 13th position, having garnered a mere seven points from Amorim's six games at the helm. In stark contrast, Bournemouth's impressive form has propelled them to fifth place, potentially positioning them for a Champions League spot next season, given the current performance of English clubs in European competitions.

United's woes began when Dean Huijsen's 29th-minute header caught them off guard, exposing their vulnerabilities in defending set-pieces. The hosts' fortunes further deteriorated when Justin Kluivert converted a penalty, having been fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, sending Andre Onana the wrong way to seal Bournemouth's dominance.

Just two minutes later, Antoine Semenyo capitalized on a costly mistake by Kobbie Mainoo, who surrendered possession deep within United's half. Dango Ouattara seized the opportunity, delivering a precise cross that found Semenyo unmarked, and the forward made no mistake as he swept the ball home.

The defeat marked another dispiriting afternoon for Manchester United and their manager, Amorim. Notably, Marcus Rashford was absent from the matchday squad for the third consecutive time, despite being in attendance at Old Trafford to watch the proceedings unfold. On the basis of this performance, it is clear that United urgently need Rashford to regain his top form, as well as significant improvements in other areas.