bournemoutH 1 Wilson (11)
manCHester united 2 Martial (35), Rashford (90)
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho recognised his side had been “very lucky” to win at Bournemouth after their “awful” display throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Marcus Rashford’s composed finish in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half secured their latest recovery from a losing position and their third victory from four in the league, which further eased the pressure on their manager.
Anthony Martial’s earlier goal, his fifth from those same four games, had given them cause for encouragement towards the end of the first half, during which they fell behind with Callum Wilson’s 11th-minute finish and were consistently put under pressure.
United remain outside of the Premier League’s top four, but again have a sense of momentum and purpose that had eluded them earlier this season and, after his job was reportedly put at risk, Mourinho said: “We were a very lucky team.
“It was a first half that could and should be game over, 5-2, 6-2 easily and, in the second half, until we scored, I had the feeling we were a very unlucky team because we should score three, four, five goals.
“It looked like we don’t work tactically during the week which is the worst feeling for me. I feel really frustrated.
“We have fantastic character and the heart that at any result, the game is not over and we go until the end.”
Ander Herrera had been particularly influential after being introduced as a secondhalf substitute. Rashford similarly impressed from the bench, and Mourinho added: “I was happy bringing Ander Herrera into the game. I felt we needed him to give more balance and to recover the ball faster. I was happy with that change.”
Bournemouth had been on course for their sixth victory from seven, owing to the fine passing and movement that had consistently stretched United’s defence.
Even with defeat, they have made their most encouraging start to a Premier League season, and their manager Eddie Howe said: “It was a tough one for us. A lot of our aspects of our play were good, especially in that opening period.
“They made some good substitutions and the game was different.
“There’s so many good things to come from the game. It’s one of our best since we got promoted and I can’t fault anyone.”