Marcus Rashford scored a 92nd minute winner at Dean Court to somehow hand Manchester United a victory that they scarcely deserved against Bournemouth.
Jose Mourinho spent much of the opening 35 minutes either shouting at his side on the touchline or sitting stone-faced in the dugout, as his United side struggled to cope with a Cherries side full of verve and vigour.
"Absolutely awful" he surmised at full-time. He wasn’t wrong.
Irrepressible and full of confidence after six wins in their opening 10 games, Bournemouth tore into United from the off and deservedly took an 11th minute lead through Callum Wilson, turning home Junior Stanislas’ cutback.
United were utterly lamentable during the first period, but somehow went into the break level; their one quality move finished off by in-form Anthony Martial.
From there, United took control and showed character, much improved in the second period and somehow failed to take the lead when Ashley Young’s freekick hit the post, Rashford’s effort was blocked by Nathan Ake and Pogba’s fluffed shot was smashed off the line by David Brooks.
But in injury time, substitute Rashford made amends, firing home from close range at the second attempt after Pogba’s cross had cut out Ake.
Here are five talking points…
1. Lukaku and Rashford out, Sanchez in
Goalless in nine games, Romelu Lukaku was completely absent at Dean Court after picking up an injury in training on Friday.
Goalless in five, Marcus Rashford was relegated to the substitutes’ bench.
And with Martial impressing recently from the left side of the front three, Mourinho elected to recall Sanchez to the starting XI, putting the Chilean at the centre of United’s attack.
United were pretty dire all told for 35 minutes, so he didn’t get much of a chance to impress. However, when the moment came for him to spark into life, he did, evading a challenge and cutting back for Martial to score.
He moved wide on the right in the second period when Rashford replaced Mata.
2. Wilson in the England conversation
With injuries now in his rear view, the former Coventry striker has been excellent for Bournemouth so far this term, leading the line and giving Howe’s attack midfielders a focal point to play off.
But he’s now added a clinical edge too. Never before has Wilson reached double figures in the Premier League, but he’s already got six through 11 games – as well as a further four assists.
Pre-game, his xG90 and xA90 (expected goals and expected assists per 90) combined stood at 0.96, a figure behind only Sergio Aguero, Mohamed Salah, David Silva and Eden Hazard for players that have played over 300 minutes so far.
Certainly, he’s giving Gareth Southgate something to think about.
3. An ode to Ake
Matthijs de Ligt is being touted as Europe’s next big thing from a defensive standpoint, and the monstrous Ajax centre-back must be some player considering he keeps Ake out of the Dutch side.
The 23-year-old cost £20million when joining on a permanent basis from Chelsea in 2017, and swept the board at the Cherries player of the year awards for 2017-18.
A number of clubs are big fans of the left-footed defender, a good user of the ball and smart reader of the game; at 5ft 11in, perhaps it is his height that puts them off – he was caught underneath the ball for Rashford’s winner.
That apart, he was outstanding, making interceptions, cutting off danger at source and sweeping up as United looked to turn the Bournemouth defence. His pièce de résistance was a quite miraculous goal-line block to deny Rashford, with the goal gaping; yes Rashford’s finish was poor, but Ake made himself big and put his body on the line.
He’s a leader too. Bournemouth bosses know that at some point he will lead, but he’ll unquestionably command a hefty fee.
4. A missed opportunity for the Cherries/United show character
Bournemouth started this fixture like a shark with the taste of blood on its lips.
They tore into United and created three excellent opportunities in the opening 11 minutes. For 35 minutes, there was only one team in it.
But United got level and then showed real character. They were perhaps lucky to be out of their hole, but they then pressed forwards and took charge of the game; Mourinho’s changes helped, adding greater speed and invention.
5. Shakhtar saw United coming over Fred
Mourinho spent much of the summer moaning about not being able to spend on a new centre-half.
But he was allowed to splash the cash on Fred, paying Shakhtar Donetsk over £50million for the Brazilian.
Quite simply, the Ukrainian side saw United coming. He’s energetic but too often forgets the basics defensively, doesn’t seem aware of how to give the midfield balance and if you compare him to Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma, the Cherries record signing at half the price, it’s simply no contest.
It was a surprise he lasted longer than half time.
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