Problems Mount for Manchester United After Dismal Bournemouth Loss
Manchester United's struggles under head coach Ruben Amorim have deepened following a shocking 3-0 home loss to AFC Bournemouth. The defeat at Old Trafford marked United's second home loss in three weeks, highlighting ongoing issues with missed chances, set-piece vulnerabilities, and a lack of consistent responses to adversity.
A Tough Run for Amorim
Since his appointment in November, Amorim's tenure has seen four defeats in six matches, leaving United in the bottom half of the Premier League table for the first time on Christmas Day since 1989. This loss follows their dramatic victory over Manchester City a week ago, offering fans a brief glimmer of hope before back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Bournemouth.
Amorim acknowledged the difficult atmosphere at Old Trafford, saying, "Everyone is suffering in the stadium. The fans, the players, everybody. It’s a tough moment, but we have to face it and prepare for the next game."
Set-Piece Struggles Continue
Set-piece defense has emerged as a glaring weakness for United. Bournemouth’s opening goal was the seventh United have conceded directly from or immediately after a set piece in their last six games, bringing the tally to 17 for the calendar year. Ryan Christie’s free-kick delivery was met by Dean Huijsen, whose header left André Onana helpless.
While Amorim insists the loss wasn’t solely due to set pieces, the pattern is becoming a significant concern. "We are working on that, and we are going to improve," Amorim said.
Second-Half Collapses
United’s habit of conceding quick, successive goals remains a troubling trend. Against Bournemouth, two goals in the second half put the game beyond reach, a scenario similar to their losses against Tottenham, Arsenal, and Forest earlier in the season.
Bournemouth’s Composed Performance
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola credited goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the win and highlighted the maturity of his team’s performance compared to last season’s more open encounters. Despite United's dominant spell at the end of the first half, Bournemouth's quick second-half goals sealed a comfortable victory for the visitors.
The Road Ahead
With matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United before the year ends, Amorim faces an uphill battle to stabilize Manchester United’s season. The defeat has exposed deep-seated issues within the team, and the pressure on Amorim to turn things around is mounting.
As Amorim left his post-match press conference, a leaking roof at Old Trafford served as a metaphor for the growing problems threatening to derail United’s campaign
Reference from:- https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/43109349/problems-mount-man-united-dismal-bournemouth-loss