Pogba shines in convincing Manchester United win

Manchester United 4-1 AFC Bournemouth

Paul Pogba was the star man putting in a fantastic performance at Old Trafford, scoring twice as Manchester United put Bournemouth to the sword and made it three consecutive Premier League wins.

Marcus Rashford beat Nathan Ake on the line before displaying a sensational piece of skill to bamboozle Danny Rico. Rashford then had the composure to play a delightful ball across goal for Pogba’s outstretched leg to tap into a largely open net.

Bournemouth threatened to find an equaliser, Ake forcing David De Gea into a fine save after an Ander Herrera deflection. Eddie Howe’s side continued to probe, having a short spell of superiority.

But it was Manchester United who clearly had the cutting edge, as Pogba added to his tally, making it 2-0 to his side. Herrera crossed for a powerful front post header from Pogba, as he made a lung busting run from deep to meet the cross in front of Asmir Begovic.

Manchester United seemingly killed the game off just before half time, Nemanja Matic playing Anthony Martial in behind, who played an inch perfect cross into the box for Rashford to guide the ball into the corner.

But there was still time for Bournemouth to respond before the break, David Brooks slaloming through the box and crossing for Ake to power a header inside the near post, giving De Gea little chance to keep his clean sheet.

Manchester United continued to assert their dominance in the second half as Matic controlled the middle of the park, dictating the pace of the game and allowing the forwards to express themselves whilst Bournemouth spent the first 15 minutes chasing shadows.

Rashford tormented Rico down the Bournemouth left, attacking him with pace and trickery, forcing him to foul the English forward and give his United side set piece opportunities for which they had a sizeable advantage.

Bournemouth can feel aggrieved they never got a penalty when Eric Bailly cleared the ball and his foot planted into Charlie Daniels shoulder, some officials would have deemed it out of control. The refereeing decisions then punished Bournemouth further when Lukaku scored from a Pogba cross, despite the Belgian standing in an offside position, something which the linesman missed, giving Manchester United a 4-1 lead.

Bailly did see red though, giving his marching orders after a reckless lunge on Ryan Fraser, performing the scissor action which is almost certain to be severely punished in the modern game. Martial was sacrificed for Phil Jones to make up the numbers at the back.

Bournemouth soon lost Ake to injury. The ever present at the back for the Cherries was replaced by Tyrone Mings. Manchester United eased through the final minutes, ensuring Bournemouth could not take advantage of the extra man on the pitch.

The final whistle blew as the curtain came down on Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s third win in as many games since taking over as boss, Rashford and Pogba both impressed, but Bournemouth would have hoped to have offered more to threaten Manchester United.

United next travel to Newcastle in the New Year, continuing their charge towards the top four and Champions League qualification. Bournemouth host Watford, hoping to stop the rut they are in.