It’s plucky number seven for boss Mac
MAN UNITED: talking about top two rather than top four. We are not dead but we are losing too many points at home.
“In the first half we played amazingly well but in the second we lost vision and quality. “So once more, we are punished.” And on Ibrahimovic’s missed penalty, Mourinho said mischievously: “We haven’t trained for penalties for four months because we never get them.”
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe did not arrive at the ground until half an hour before the kick off because of illness.
And the start of the match can only have made him feel worse.
United were close to scoring no fewer than five times in the opening 14 minutes.
Wayne Rooney headed over, Paul Pogba had an ef f ort deflected wide, Ibrahimovic twice failed to convert from close range and Cherries keeper Boruc denied Anthony Martial. Yet BOURNEMOUTH: Bournemouth almost snatched the lead in a breakaway raid when Benik Afobe was too quick for Marcos Rojo. United keeper David De Gea managed to get a hand to the ball when he came out to confront the striker. But after Boruc again saved from Martial following a magnificent Michael Carrick pass, it was Rojo who gave United the lead in the 24th minute. After a Juan Mata corner was cleared, Antonio Valencia produced a low drive which was diverted into the corner of the net by the left boot of Rojo for his first goal of the season and first in the Premier League. Before the game Mourinho had declared his love for his United stars. He said: “I love my boys. What an amazing group of players and people they are. “You just have to look at the little details from last Sunday’s win over Southampton to see how special they are. “Wayne Rooney was jumping around with mad joy when Ibrahimovic scored the winning goal, then there was Marouane Fellaini’s desire to help finish the job when he came on for the last few minutes.” Given United’s control, it was a shock when Bournemouth equalised in the 39th minute. Fit-again Phil Jones brought down Marc Pugh (left) and former United junior Joshua King converted the penalty. Ibrahimovic was booked for what he had to say before the spot-kick was taken, after earlier hurling Mings to the ground in an off-the-ball incident.
And the Swede was then at the centre of the flashpoints before half-time. He was stamped on the head by Mings, then clearly elbowed the Bournemouth defender from a corner. That prompted Surman to push the United striker to the ground for his second yellow card, having earlier been booked for a foul on Luke Shaw.
Referee Kevin Friend appeared to have forgotten about that and it was two minutes 40 seconds later, while arguments raged and the game was stopped, before he sent off the Bournemouth midfielder.
Mourinho made a triple substitution in the 70th minute in an attempt to crack Bournemouth’s resistance. He withdrew Rooney, Carrick and Shaw and sent on Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Fellaini.
And a minute later United were awarded a penalty when Adam Smith was ruled to have handled when Pogba attempted to hook the ball into the goalmouth. But Boruc dived to his right to superbly keep out Ibrahimovic’s spot-kick.
Bournemouth assistant boss Jason Tindall, who was sent to the stands for protesting about Surman’s first yellow card, said: “I’ve not seen any of the incidents again, so I can’t comment. The only thing I did see was Andrew’s first yellow card, which I thought was harsh.
“Eddie was ill during the night. But I think this result will be making him feel a bit better.” DERBY boss Steve McClaren saluted his team’s character after they came from behind to beat Barnsley.
David Nugent scored his first Rams goal following his January move from Middlesbrough after Tom Ince had cancelled out Matty James’ header.
It was Derby’s first victory in seven games and McClaren said: “It’s a big win for us and we showed fantastic character from 1-0 down from a long throw and everyone’s heads could have gone down.
“It’s one game at a time, I hate losing and I’ve been angry in the last couple of weeks. It’s not a pleasant taste and we talked about finding a way to win.
“Two defeats put us back in terms of confidence and we’re now just trying to build confidence.”
Barnsley carved out an opening in the 11th minute when Tom Bradshaw ran into the box on the right.
His scuffed shot was taken on by Adam Armstrong whose drive went just wide.
And the away side took the lead in the 52nd minute when a long throw by Marc Roberts was headed in by James.
Derby equalised two minutes later when Cyrus Christie crossed from the right and the ball fell to Ince who slammed a shot past Adam Davies from 10 yards.
And the hosts went ahead in the 76th minute when a poor clearance fell to Nugent who drilled in a low shot from 15 yards.
Barnsley had a chance to nab a point in stoppage time but Ryan Kent’s shot was straight at Scott Carson.
Barnsley head coach Paul Heckingbottom admitted he was dejected by the loss.
He said: “I probably know my team better than anyone, the players are an honest bunch and they are disappointed with the two goals we have conceded.
“If you think you are conceding sloppy goals and some of your players aren’t at their best, the fact we’ve lost 2-1 and could have got something out of the game shows how far we’ve come.
“When I watch it back I’ll get a better picture, so maybe I’m being a bit hard on them now but that’s how I feel.”