Bournemouth hammer Manchester United to leave Michael Carrick on the brink
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick acknowledges the fans. Pic: Martin Rickett/Press Association.
Michael Carrick may well have overseen his final match as Manchester United head coach after his players’ feeble Old Trafford display led to a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth and boos at the final whistle.
The former Red Devils midfielder’s position was already hanging in the balance as their poor start to the season was compounded by Wednesday’s calamitous 4-1 loss at Champions League upstarts Como.
Under-fire Carrick spoke with defiance and hope ahead of hosting Bournemouth, but Sunday’s meek loss extended United’s winless run to an eighth straight match in all competitions and leaves their boss facing the sack.
Rayan and Marcus Tavernier scored avoidable first-half goals for the well-drilled Cherries at Old Trafford, where home fans displayed a banner reading “standards” as the players trudged off at the break.
Roy Keane, Eric Cantona and Bryan Robson featured on the sign brought out of storage for a match that current captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped for days after his critique of Carrick’s approach in Italy.
The head coach claimed it was a “pure football” decision rather than punishment, but he remained on the bench throughout a tepid second half that saw Evanilson punish a wandering Senne Lammens.
United fans expressed their fury at the Glazers and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe towards the end of a game that brought anger as Bournemouth celebrated a third 3-0 win at Old Trafford in the last four seasons.
Marco Rose’s men followed up Thursday’s famous Europa League win by the same scoreline against an AC Milan managed by Ruben Amorim, whose successor could soon be following him out of Old Trafford.
Carrick applauded the fans, patted his chest and waved on a couple of occasions as United fans chanted his name as he walked down the tunnel, where fury then fixed on the underperforming players that followed him.
It is hard to believe that he had led largely the same side to third in the Premier League last season, but their lack of summer improvements – highlighted by Lisandro Martinez – was clear from the outset on Sunday.
Stand-in skipper Harry Maguire blocked an early Rayan shot and Leny Yoro stopped Evanilson converting a cross, with Bournemouth’s Brazilian striker proving the kind of threat the hosts could only dream of.
Frustration audibly built around Old Trafford as timid United offered precious little before falling behind in the 38th minute.
Ayden Heaven could not believe he was booked for a challenge on Evanilson and there was similar disbelief around the ground as Rayan was left unmarked to volley home a Justin Kluivert free-kick at the far post.
“You’re getting sacked in the morning” chanted the Bournemouth support, who chanted it again after Yoro gifted them another in the 43rd minute.
The defender’s slip was lapped up by compatriot Adrien Truffert, who squared for Tavernier to turn into an empty net.
Bryan Mbeumo would have pulled one back for United before the break was it not for a fine Djordje Petrovic stop, with the half-time whistle greeted by boos and a pointed banner about standards.
Matheus Cunha replaced Youri Tielemans for a second half that started with Bournemouth finding the net again, only for Evanilson’s goal to be ruled out for offside.
Heaven was culpable and breathing another sigh of relief when Rayan was denied by Lammens after he lost the ball.
Martinez eventually replaced the young defender but also had the United goalkeeper to thank after Rayan burst past him to force a save.
The substitute would force Petrovic into action from distance as United huffed and puffed in their bid to reduce the deficit, only to shoot themselves in the foot.
Lammens darted off his line to cut out a through ball, but Evanilson got their first to prod beyond him and score with a brilliant effort from a tight angle.
United fans chanted Carrick’s name and turned their anger on the Glazers and Ratcliffe, with director of football Jason Wilcox also copping flak as the Red Devils failed to land a glove on Bournemouth.
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