1 – Manchester United won the third game on the trot as they emphatically beat the Cherries. Ole fielded the same eleven for the third time running – confirming what was pointed out in the last article that the Manager may have settled for this team as his first eleven for the rest of the season – and he got the reward. Certainly, going forward United were devastating and seemed to be able to score whenever they got around the box. With Matic expertly shielding the defence and allowing the ‘front’ five to have a go at the Bournemouth defence, United produced some fantastic goals, particularly the one from Martial just before half-time. Ole has to be pleased that four out of the five attacking players found the net, and it could easily have been five if Ramsdale did not pull an excellent save from an exquisite freekick by Pogba. This is the football that every United fan wants to watch week in week out, flowing attacking football and plenty of goals. Long may it continue.
2 – The only stain on a perfect attacking performance was the fact that despite scoring five, we have not managed to close the gap in goal difference with Leicester, which may prove significant in the race to get into Champions League places. Leicester managed to score three without conceding against Crystal Palace, which meant that the two goals conceded against Bournemouth, did hurt us. Leaving the goals conceded aside for a moment, I am more concerned by the fact that our defence does not look impenetrable and in today’s match, there were quite a few awkward moments for that defence that should not be taken lightly. I am still not convinced that Lindelof is the perfect partner for Maguire. The latter’s performance may be questioned by some of the fans, but despite having the occasional situation where we expect him to be more solid, his positional play, aerial ability, composure on the ball and all-round game makes him a certain starter in my team. What he needs is someone strong and quick as a partner. Could that be Bailly? He’s good but a bit flamboyant. Maybe this is the number one position that Ole needs to fill in during the summer transfer window. I know that Sancho is the player that all fans want through the door, but from what we’re seeing, I think we need a Koulibaly before anyone else is bought.
3 – I have to highlight again how good Fred has been throughout the whole season. And despite experiencing the disappointment of losing his place in the starting eleven with everyone fit and ready to play, Ole has found him ready to continue from where he left pre-COVID, with another all-action 30-minute cameo against Bournemouth. I’m so impressed by Fred these days. He is relentless in his pressing and covers a lot of ground, Fred has shown today that he can replace Matic anytime he will be asked to do so by the Manager, and he will continue to make it hard for Ole to leave him out of the team.
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