Old Trafford, la hora y la patience: Bournemouth le dio another golpe al United

Another night, another empty feeling. Manchester United lost 3-0 to Bournemouth at Old Trafford and extended its barren run to eight matches without a win across all competitions. The result leaves the team in sixteenth place in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone. The home crowd, as usual, saw a side that could not turn pressure into goals. Let us be honest: the problem is no longer only the scoreboard. It is the way the team gives away space, loses the ball in dangerous areas and then watches the damage grow.

Three goals, one very clear warning

Bournemouth scored three times, with Brazilian players providing the goals. Rayan opened the scoring at 38 minutes, Marcus Tavernier doubled the advantage four minutes later after a turnover on Yoro's right side, and Evanilson sealed it at 71 with a shot that went over goalkeeper Lammens. Cook delivered the decisive through ball, while the lack of communication between Lammens, Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire was decisive in the buildup to the third goal. Martínez, the Argentine defender, had entered at 65 minutes in place of Ayden Heaven. His arrival did not change the script, and the third goal left him exposed in a sequence that looked less like a tactical accident and more like a collective failure.

The captain remained on the bench. Bruno Fernandes did not play, four days after United's 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League. After that match, the Portuguese midfielder questioned the tactical decisions, saying that sometimes the team needed to be braver under pressure, take the risk of pressing higher and make opponents uncomfortable. On Saturday, coach Michael Carrick described the team selection as a purely sporting decision and said they were looking for the performance they wanted. Translation: no mystery, just a sporting choice. Which, for a team with eight matches without a win, sounds a little too neat.

• Rayan opened the scoring at 38 minutes.
• Tavernier made it 2-0 at 42, after a loss of possession on Yoro's right side.
• Evanilson scored the third at 71, following a through ball from Lewis Cook.
• Martínez entered at 65 minutes and was involved in the communication failure before the third goal.
• Fernandes stayed on the bench and did not enter the field.

The upcoming schedule does not offer room for comfort. United will face Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool next. If the team does not improve quickly, the table will become as uncomfortable as the dressing room. The Premier League also delivered another result on Sunday: Liverpool beat Brighton 2-0, with goals from Pascal Gross, in his own goal, at 17 minutes and Alexander Isak at 21. Isak now has six goals in seven appearances this season. The contrast is stark: Liverpool continues to add goals, while United is still looking for its first victory.

“Sometimes you have to be braver under pressure, take the risk of pressing higher and make them uncomfortable.”Bruno Fernandes

Can United turn this around before the calendar makes the situation even more complicated? The next match is against Chelsea, with kickoff time still to be confirmed.