Bournemouth V Manchester United: 14/8/16
Eddie Howe`s Bournemouth welcomed Jose Mourinho's Manchester United to the Vitality Stadium as both teams began their Premier League campaign. Today marks Mourinho's first Premier League match as United coach after he took over the helm from Louis van Gaal. United would be without Paul Pogba for their opening fixture after the world's most expensive player was carrying a yellow card suspension from his time in Serie A with Juventus. News broke before the fixture that Bournemouth had agreed a fee in the region of £2 million for Republic of Ireland defender Marc Wilson as the Stoke City player closed in on a move to 'The Cherries'. Bournemouth fielded former Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe and former Leeds United midfielder Lewis Cook for their debuts as Eddie Howe looked to build on last seasons Premier League survival. Mourinho handed Premier League debuts to the impressive Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly as he partnered Daley Blind at the back. United's newest talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic spearheaded United's attack, with Rooney, Martial, and Juan Mata behind him. Many questions were asked about Mata's future at the club with the Spaniard 's relationship it's the Portuguese coach called back into question. Mourinho had brought Mata on during their Community Shield victory over Leicester but 30 minutes late as substituted due to his height as Leicester were pushing for an equaliser and we're playing long balls into the area. Interestingly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan continued on the bench as the Armenian waited for his full debut since his move from Borussia Dortmund earlier in the summer. During his pre match conference, Mourinho told how Juan Mata, contrary to rumours, still had something to offer United, regardless of there past at Chelsea.
Manchester United got us underway in the first half enjoying the early spell of possession. Juan Mata showed some good vision to pick out Antonio Valencia on the right flank but Rooney couldn't keep the ball in play at the byline. Callum Wilson then at other end pounced on a Luke Shaw mistake but could only fire high and wide. Juan Mata again looked to find Wayne Rooney in the area but Steve Cook headed clear as Bournemouth started to become comfortable on the ball with Jordan Ibe looking like the focal point in the transition from midfield into the final third. Eric Bailly showed his prowess as he steamrolled former Manchester United academy graduate Joshua King, but the whistle had already sounded. Antonio Valencia then provided a great ball into the area as Ibrahimovic clattered into Simon Francis giving away a free kick in the process. Callum Wilson then tripped Daley Blind at the other end and hit the post before a free kick was awarded to United. With 20 minutes gone, you could argue that Bournemouth were the better side, looking more likely to break the deadlock. Martial then for United, fired wide after beating Adam Smith on the edge of the box. A patient build up form United seen Valencia find Mata on the edge of box with a low cross and the Spaniard teed up Rooney who's shot was straight at Artur Boruc. Valencia was finding the most joy for United on the right and won a corner for his side but Mata's delivery was easily dealt with by Boruc. Jordan Ibe at the other end couldn't find Callum Wilson with his delivery. Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter then seen his long range drive fly over De Gea's crossbar and into the stands. Rooney then won his side another corner after his shot was deflected wide. Boruc again captured Rooney's corner with ease as United wasted another chance. Joshua King then had appeals for a penalty waved away by Andre Marriner as Ander Herrera won the ball before King ran into him. Then with just 5 minutes left in the first half, the man of the moment, Juan Mata who seen his original attempt saved, was very fortunate that the ball rebounded of the Bournemouth defender and into his path as he slotted home. The first half whistle sounded with Mourinho's United holding bragging rights heading into the second half.
Bournemouth got us underway for the second half, with Juan Mata's goal the difference between the sides. Zlatan Ibrahimovic then with a beautiful flick over the top found Rooney who out muscled Steve Cook but couldn't beat Boruc. Rooney then moments later had appeals for a penalty waved away by Marriner, and replays showed that he maybe did go down too easily. United began to settle down after the penalty incident and looked for a patient build up. United found a second just before the hour mark, and again found a huge slice of luck when Valencia's cross into the box found Anthony Martial who's volley found Rooney at the back post headed past a helpless Boruc. Martial was then brought down by Andrew Surman on the edge of the box, an ideal range for Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Juan Mata to try their luck. It was the mercurial Swede who stepped up and produced a fine save from Artur Boruc to keep the deficit at two. Then from about 25 yards out, Ibrahimovic grabbed his debut goal with an accurate, low, driven finish to surely give Mourinho all 3 points on his debut as United coach. United were playing with a real swagger after that goal as Bournemouth looked to former Arsenal striker Benik Afore and former Norwich forward Lewis Grabban to salvage something for 'The Cherries' as Callum Wilson and Jordan Ibe were withdrawn. Bournemouth then got their goal through full back Adam Smith who beat De Gea at his near post with an excellent finish to reduce United's lead to two. Mata then broke away for United but his search for Martial on the left wing came to nothing. Mourinho then introduced Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Juan Mata for the Armenian's debut, as he looked to impress with 15 minutes to go. Former Saint Etienne winger Max Gradel made his way onto the pitch as he replaced the 19 year old Lewis Cook with 10 minutes left. Bournemouth were testing United's resolve at the back as they looked for a lifeline back into the game. Ibrahimovic then broke away for United but his pass to Mkhitaryan was cut out. Morgan Schniederlin replaced Anthony Martial as Mourinho looked to sure up the midfield with 5 minutes remaining. Mourinho made his final change for United introduced young Memphis Depay who replaced Wayne Rooney as the drew to a close. Eric Bailly was handed the man of the match award for the second game running as the new United man received the award in the Community Shield against Leicester last weekend. Fellaini nearly but the ball in his own net with 2 minutes to go as he headed over De Gea and just over the bar. Andrew Surman then produced a wonderful reaction save from De Gea from a corner before Gradel was denied twice. The final whistle sounded as Mourinho collected all 3 points in an impressive performance.
Like, comment and follow for daily football news and opinions.
Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com
Ross
Manchester United got us underway in the first half enjoying the early spell of possession. Juan Mata showed some good vision to pick out Antonio Valencia on the right flank but Rooney couldn't keep the ball in play at the byline. Callum Wilson then at other end pounced on a Luke Shaw mistake but could only fire high and wide. Juan Mata again looked to find Wayne Rooney in the area but Steve Cook headed clear as Bournemouth started to become comfortable on the ball with Jordan Ibe looking like the focal point in the transition from midfield into the final third. Eric Bailly showed his prowess as he steamrolled former Manchester United academy graduate Joshua King, but the whistle had already sounded. Antonio Valencia then provided a great ball into the area as Ibrahimovic clattered into Simon Francis giving away a free kick in the process. Callum Wilson then tripped Daley Blind at the other end and hit the post before a free kick was awarded to United. With 20 minutes gone, you could argue that Bournemouth were the better side, looking more likely to break the deadlock. Martial then for United, fired wide after beating Adam Smith on the edge of the box. A patient build up form United seen Valencia find Mata on the edge of box with a low cross and the Spaniard teed up Rooney who's shot was straight at Artur Boruc. Valencia was finding the most joy for United on the right and won a corner for his side but Mata's delivery was easily dealt with by Boruc. Jordan Ibe at the other end couldn't find Callum Wilson with his delivery. Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter then seen his long range drive fly over De Gea's crossbar and into the stands. Rooney then won his side another corner after his shot was deflected wide. Boruc again captured Rooney's corner with ease as United wasted another chance. Joshua King then had appeals for a penalty waved away by Andre Marriner as Ander Herrera won the ball before King ran into him. Then with just 5 minutes left in the first half, the man of the moment, Juan Mata who seen his original attempt saved, was very fortunate that the ball rebounded of the Bournemouth defender and into his path as he slotted home. The first half whistle sounded with Mourinho's United holding bragging rights heading into the second half.
Bournemouth got us underway for the second half, with Juan Mata's goal the difference between the sides. Zlatan Ibrahimovic then with a beautiful flick over the top found Rooney who out muscled Steve Cook but couldn't beat Boruc. Rooney then moments later had appeals for a penalty waved away by Marriner, and replays showed that he maybe did go down too easily. United began to settle down after the penalty incident and looked for a patient build up. United found a second just before the hour mark, and again found a huge slice of luck when Valencia's cross into the box found Anthony Martial who's volley found Rooney at the back post headed past a helpless Boruc. Martial was then brought down by Andrew Surman on the edge of the box, an ideal range for Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Juan Mata to try their luck. It was the mercurial Swede who stepped up and produced a fine save from Artur Boruc to keep the deficit at two. Then from about 25 yards out, Ibrahimovic grabbed his debut goal with an accurate, low, driven finish to surely give Mourinho all 3 points on his debut as United coach. United were playing with a real swagger after that goal as Bournemouth looked to former Arsenal striker Benik Afore and former Norwich forward Lewis Grabban to salvage something for 'The Cherries' as Callum Wilson and Jordan Ibe were withdrawn. Bournemouth then got their goal through full back Adam Smith who beat De Gea at his near post with an excellent finish to reduce United's lead to two. Mata then broke away for United but his search for Martial on the left wing came to nothing. Mourinho then introduced Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Juan Mata for the Armenian's debut, as he looked to impress with 15 minutes to go. Former Saint Etienne winger Max Gradel made his way onto the pitch as he replaced the 19 year old Lewis Cook with 10 minutes left. Bournemouth were testing United's resolve at the back as they looked for a lifeline back into the game. Ibrahimovic then broke away for United but his pass to Mkhitaryan was cut out. Morgan Schniederlin replaced Anthony Martial as Mourinho looked to sure up the midfield with 5 minutes remaining. Mourinho made his final change for United introduced young Memphis Depay who replaced Wayne Rooney as the drew to a close. Eric Bailly was handed the man of the match award for the second game running as the new United man received the award in the Community Shield against Leicester last weekend. Fellaini nearly but the ball in his own net with 2 minutes to go as he headed over De Gea and just over the bar. Andrew Surman then produced a wonderful reaction save from De Gea from a corner before Gradel was denied twice. The final whistle sounded as Mourinho collected all 3 points in an impressive performance.
Like, comment and follow for daily football news and opinions.
Requests:markeyross198.RM@gmail.com
Ross
Comments
Post a Comment