- Manchester United hosted Bournemouth in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Tuesday night
- Manchester United needed the three points to drift further from Tottenham Hotspur
- Goals from Casemiro, Shaw and Rashford sealed all the three points for Erik Ten Hag’s side
Marcus Rashford continued his impressive streak in a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, helping Manchester United tighten their hold on a spot in the top four of the Premier League.
Rashford returned to the starting lineup at Old Trafford and sealed a strong United performance with a late tap-in after scoring the game-winning goal from the bench against Wolves on Saturday.
Luke Shaw added to United’s advantage with a deft finish after Casemiro had put Christian Eriksen’s stunning left-wing free kick into the back of the net to give them the lead.
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw celebrates after scoring against Bournemouth in the Premier League on January, Tuesday 3 2023. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |
With the win, Erik ten Hag’s team drew even with Newcastle United, which had drawn with league leaders Arsenal, and moved five points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham.
23 minutes into the game, Casemiro volleyed Eriksen’s pass into the top-left corner to give United the lead.
While Eriksen had another free-kick deflect wide and Lloyd Kelly made a last-ditch block to stop Rashford, Bournemouth escaped additional harm before the break.
Within four minutes of the game’s restart, Shaw scored a goal by sweeping in a cut-back from Alejandro Garnacho, who had come on for the injured Donny van de Beek.
David de Gea had to make some key saves to deny Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony at the other end after Anthony Martial blasted Casemiro’s whipped pass wide at the far post.
Garnacho’s beautiful curling shot just missed the post, but Rashford turned Bruno Fernandes’ cut-back in to give United a 3-0 lead after a superb pass from Shaw.
What does it mean? United on a roll
United’s bid for Champions League qualification has gathered momentum over the festive period, with three relegation candidates – Nottingham Forest, Wolves and now Bournemouth – cast aside.
The victory represented the ideal start to 2023 for United, who have now won four home Premier League matches in a row without conceding for the first time since a run of six between May and October 2017.
Rashford continues impressive form
The 25-year-old Rashford continued his excellent form on Tuesday after being reinstated into Ten Hag’s starting lineup on Saturday after being benched against Wolves. Rashford entered the fray to inspire United to victory with a well-taken solo goal.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring the third against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Jan, Tuesday 3 2023. | PHOTO: Evening Standard |
Rashford has now scored in three straight Premier League games, and he currently leads United in goals scored with seven.
Eriksen at his best
Eriksen was at his creative best as he recorded his sixth Premier League assist of the season – more than any other United player.
Since returning to the Premier League with Brentford in February 2022, Christian Eriksen is one of just three players to hit double figures for assists (10), along with Kevin De Bruyne (15) and Dejan Kulusevski (12).
Later this week, both teams will focus on the FA Cup third round, with Bournemouth facing Burnley on Sunday and United hosting struggling Everton at Old Trafford on Friday.
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