Manchester United vs Bournemouth - Premier League RECAP: All the reaction as Ruben Amorim's side are embarrassed at home AGAIN... leaving Red Devils languishing in 13th at Christmas

What a day for Bournemouth, eh?

For the second year running they have given Manchester United a real humbling on their own turf.

It's quite incredible.

Three goals, three points, and the Cherries will spend Christmas in fifth place. They are having a very happy holidays.

The same can't be said about United though, who are in the bottom half at Christmas for the first time in 35 years. Things just keep getting worse for Ruben Amorim's side.

Anyway, I now have to shoot off, but please come and join me in watching Tottenham host Liverpool, it will be a cracker.

See you all there!

They do say Old Trafford is a stadium where dreams are made of, eh?

Well, it really has been that for Bournemouth ever since Andoni Iraola was brought in as boss.

The Cherries are just the second team to win consecutive league away games against Manchester United by three or more goals.

It used to be a place they feared, but not anymore.

Justin Kluivert, Bournemouth goalscorer, speaking to Sky Sports:

It's a massive win. Back-to-back wins at this beautiful stadium is amazing. It's unreal. We've been working hard, and building on the same plan. It's amazing with the coach, and with the players we can do something beautiful as you saw today.

Our philosophy, how we want to play, is full pressure, a lot of energy in the games. That's why we score in every game. That's just the power of us. We just try to keep cruising like this. Up the Cherries, happy Christmas!

Ruben Amorim, Manchester United boss, on Sky Sports:

It's hard. In this context, it's hard to push for two or three wins. We're trying. But this game was hard on us. Without any situation, we suffered again at set-pieces. We were a little bit nervous, the stadium.

We controlled the rest of the first half with some clear chances, and then in the second with the penalty and then another goal is really hard on everyone here.

We tried to score but in the end, it was a tough match in a tough situation. We need to move on.

Back to reality for Manchester United.

Seven days ago they were singing their hearts out in the away end at Manchester City after a miraculous derby win.

Even a loss at Tottenham wasn't enough to bring down the feel-good factor in the week.

The United fans I spoke to were expecting another Premier League win today, but I think they have a short memory.

The Red Devils have so many problems that these results will just keep on coming.

Last week only papered over the huge cracks.

Michael Brown, former Manchester City midfielder, on BBC Radio 5 Live:

We knew Man United would be up against this Bournemouth side who are full of confidence. It could have been more and what a performance from Bournemouth overall.

This is a big blow, this performance at this stage of the season has put a major negative effect back on something what was starting to look good under the new manager.

Before I get into just how woeful Manchester United were, we have to praise Bournemouth.

The Cherries don't always get the credit they deserve despite the brilliant season they are having.

They have just put on a clinic at Old Trafford.

The Cherries worked so hard to keep a clean sheet at one end while slicing through United at the other.

No matter how poor United are, to beat them at Old Trafford in that fashion is still one hell of a result.

They were a joy to watch today.

It’s a nightmare before Christmas for United as they lose 3-0 to Bournemouth at Old Trafford for the second season in a row. There are boos around the stadium at full-time and understandably so.

Boos ring around Old Trafford once again.

The pocketful of fans who are left in the stadium voice their anger... it's probably the only reason they stayed.

Bournemouth have battered Manchester United on their own patch for the second year running.

It means United will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table.

Bournemouth are fighting for absolutely everything.

Leny Yoro looks destined to score a consolation goal from just six yards out.

As his effort is heading for the net, a Bournemouth defender throws his body in front of it on the line.

Incredible.

The bookings are back out.

Dean Huijsen is shown a yellow but he looks like he doesn't care even a little bit.

I'm not surprised, to be honest.

There will be five minutes of stoppage time.

Not many fans are here to see them though, the ground is practically empty.

I reckon over half of the home fans have headed for the car park.

Antoine Semenyo gets a huge ovation from the away end as he is replaced by David Brooks.

James Hill is also on as he comes on or Tyler Adams for the final few minutes.

I think we can now say that Bournemouth have secured the points.

We could have said that 20 minutes ago, but with Noussair Mazraoui just smashing the ball into the crowd, I'm now certain.

The away end in the corner are in full-on party mode, they are truly loving life.

Even Amad Diallo has been miles off it today, which is rare.

The winger blasts an effort closer to the roof of the stadium than the net.

I wouldn't be surprised if that landed in the Trafford Centre in about a minute or so.

Oh, so close to a fourth!

Bournemouth are in no mercy mode and Milos Kerkez arrows a strike toward the corner after a sweeping move.

It's a great effort but flies just wide.

Is there a fire drill?

Old Trafford is now emptying at a rapid rate, the fans have truly seen enough.

Just last week they were having the time of their lives after the dramatic win in the Manchester Derby. What a crazy seven days.

How football can toy with your emotions, eh?

Now this is what you call a tactical substitution.

Andoni Iraola is looking to calm the game down and see out the win as he brings on Phillip Billing for Justin Kluivert.

They have just 12 minutes to see out.

Bournemouth keep ripping through Manchester United at will.

This time Justin Kluivert drifts into the area unnoticed and tries to get around Andre Onana.

However, Onana does well to smother him.

Manchester United are having a crack now but this is too little too late, surely?

To leave it until you are three goals down to go hell for leather is not exactly ideal.

Andoni Iraola turns to the bench.

Evanilson leaves the pitch as slowly as possible and is replaced by Enes Unal.

Not a bad player to bring on, eh?

Manchester United are not giving up just yet...

The hosts break after winning the ball deep in their own half and Rasmus Hojlund is sent away.

He drives into the box and tries to drive the ball across Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the far corner, but it drifts just wide.

Better from United.

This could become a hammering.

Bournemouth are looking the more likely to score another as they search for a fourth.

If they do, I will be lost for words.

United are in danger of falling apart here. They are 3-0 down at home to Bournemouth for the second season running and there is still half an hour to go. ‘Man United, it’s happening again!’ sing the jubilant Cherries fans.

I can't believe what I am watching here, United look like they have forgotten how to play football.

But wait, just as I say that, Kobbie Mainoo wins the ball in the middle of the park.

United then work the ball to Alejandro Garnacho but he can only find the gloves of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

United are in desperation mode now.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Bournemouth are in dreamland and Manchester United are in the mud. This is crazy.

United are falling apart as Bruno Fernandes loses the ball in the middle of the park and Bournemouth are away.

Dango Ouatarra fires the ball across the area following a quick counter and Antoine Semenyo slides home.

De ja vu for United.

Justin Kluivert makes no mistake from the spot!

Was there ever any doubt?

Kluivert never misses when standing over a penalty and he sends Andre Onana the wrong way. Coolness personified.

United are in real, real trouble.

Now that is what you call a stonewall penalty!

Nousasair Mazraoui has a brain fart and wipes out Justin Kluivert in the area.

It takes Craig Pawson just a second to make his decision and Kluivert will step up himself.

You know that liveliness I was talking about... it's taken just a few minutes to fade.

That chance seemed like ti may be the start of an onslaught but Bournemouth have just regained control of the match.

You can't get much closer than that!

Manchester United have come to life and the chances are starting to come once again.

Harry Maguire gets on the end of a corner and flicks the ball toward the far post but Lewis Cook is there to clear.

United are starting to look lively.

Look who is back...

No, it's not Marcus Rashford. Instead, it's the other exiled forward Alejandro Garnacho.

Ruben Amorim decides to bring both the Argentine forward and Rasmus Hojlun in an attempt to change the game.

Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee are the pair to make way, which is a very attacking move.

Will it pay off?

Bournemouth have started this half very well.

I was expecting Manchester United to come out all guns blazing but that has not been the case at all.

Old Trafford does not sound impressed.

Oh, Antoine Semenyo...

The Bournemouth winger has just sent s shot so far wide that it nearly goes for a throw-in.

It's a strike that reminds me of the one that Marouane Fellaini had at Anfield all those years ago which hit a steward in the face.

That was very funny.

Ruben Amorim is making a change, but it's not Rasmus Hojlund.

Instead, the Portuguese coach is bringing on Leny Yoro for Tyrell Malacia, who did not have the best 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth bring on Lewis Cook as Adam Smith makes way.

And now we are back underway

Joshua Zirkzee is having another stinker.

It's been another poor half for the striker who just can't seem to find consistency in a red shirt.

If I was Ruben Amorim, I'd be getting Rasmus Hojlund ready as soon as I could.

If they want to win this game, they need him on.

Michael Brown, former Manchester City midfielder, on BBC Radio 5 Live:

Full credit to Bournemouth, they have moved them around, there have been some great runs and interlinking play.

Bournemouth have certainly had the control and Man Utd need to do better in the second half.

Manchester United really are dreadful from set-pieces, aren't they?

Every week they seem to concede from either a corner or a free-kick, and it's been no different today.

Dean Huijsen's first-half heard means United have now conceded 17 goals from set pieces in the Premier League in 2024, excluding penalties.

That's the most they have in a single calendar year in the competition.

There are some boos from the Old Trafford crowd as the whistle is blown...

It's an all too familiar story for Manchester United as they trail Bournemoputhn at the break.

The half took a while to get going, but once Dean Huijsen found the net for the visitors, it sprung to life.

United have a lot fo work to do if they want something from this.

We will have just one minute of stoppage time at Old Trafford.

The half has finally got going and now it's going to end, what a shame.

My word, how many tries is Bruno Fernandes going to have?

The United captain has his third chance in a matter of minutes and this one is nearly cracker of a goal.

He smacks a storming effort from 30 yards and it looks set for the top corner, but it flies just wide of the post.

I thought that was in for a second.

How are Manchester United not level?

It's just not Bruno Fernandes' day as he once again goes close, but not close enough.

United pinch the ball of the Bournemouth defence high up the pitch and suddenly it's three on two.

They work the ball over to Fernandes in the area but he can only bend an effort straight down the throat of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

He simply had to score there.

Ohhhh, Manchester United come so close to a leveller.

Bruno Fernandes has their best chance of the match as Amad Diallo slides the ball to him on the edge of the area.

He strikes the ball so well but bends it agonisingly wide of the far corner.

He can't believe it.

Tyrell Malacia is having a stinker here.

He has already given away a free-kick which led to a goal and now he has just made another silly challenge.

He keeps moaning, but I'm not sure why. He's just not playing well.

What's the saying, they come like 'London buses'?

Yellow cards are coming as often as trains on the Central Line in the capital now as Manuel Ugarte picks up a booking.

He throws his arms into the air with frustration.

Now that's a harsh yellow card...

Adam Smith slightly mistimes a sliding tackle on Tyrell Malacia and gives away a free-kick down the left.

That's all it should be, but Craig Pawson goes a step further and books Smith.

Bournemouth just about deserve their lead and once again United are undone at a set-piece. Malacia is penalised for a foul on Smith and Huijsen rises in front of Zirkzee to head in from the free kick. Frustration starting to grow around Old Trafford at the prospect of a fourth defeat in six games.

Oh, stop that Evanilson!

The Brazilian striker produces a bit of filth as he brings down a ball over the top with his chest and then sends a volley toward goal.

It's a great effort but Andre Onana manages to keep a hold of it.

The United fans are not happy in the slightest, it's groans galore.

Bournemouth lead at Old Trafford again!

Manchester United's frailties defending set pieces are on show again and it's Dean Huijsen who makes them pay.

Ryan Christie delivers a lovely ball into the mixer and Huijsen rises highest and flicks a header into the corner.

Old Trafford falls silent.

The blustery wind has definitely had an impact on the game here at Old Trafford and now rain is sweeping around the stadium.

It’s been untidy so far with Bournemouth perhaps shading it on the balance of play, but just one save of note from either keeper with almost half an hour gone.

That is a lovely move from the visitors.

The Cherries work it from back to front with brilliance before Antoine Semenyo sees an effort blocked.

When Bournemouth move the ball like that, they look so lively.

The weather is starting to match the quality of this game, it's rubbish.

Rain has now joined the wind and it's that fine rain that gets you drenched but you don't notice it too much.

The worst kind of rain, in my book anyway.

Oh dear...

Justin Kluivert finds himself in space and you just know exactly what he is going to do.

He pulls the trigger but slips as soon as he connects with the ball and it flies miles wide.

The United fans love it and make sure Kluivert knows it.

I can't lie, this has not been the best of watches so far.

Amad Diallo is about the only Manchester United player who looks up for this match.

I feel like I say that pretty much every week these days...

That effort pretty much sums up this game so far.

Bruno Fernandes realises he has no options as he moves toward the box so just opts to have a pop.

The wind takes the ball and causes some problems for Kepa Aerrizabalaga, but the keeper manages to deal with it.

When not much is happening, those are the efforts you tend to get.

That is brilliant defending from Tyler Adams!

Kobbie Mainoo looks like he is in down the lefthand side of the area and he cocks his leg to clip in a cross.

But out of nowhere, Adams steams in and gets in front of him, wins the ball, and clears the danger.

Mainoo couldn't even see him coming.

Jurgen Klopp would not be enjoying the conditions here at Old Trafford if he was in the dugout.

Why, you ask?

Well, it is very windy and I seem to remember him complaining about it once. If you're reading this, sorry Jurgen, I couldn't help myself.

Manchester United look all over the place at the back, what's new?

They give the ball away in midfield and Antoine Semenyo ends up with the ball at his feet.

He has a crack from distance, which Andrey Onana stops, but then United give the ball away again and the Cherries win a free-kick.

The visitors are on top here.

What was I saying again?

Just as I pressed send on the last post, Manchester United decide to wake up.

The ball is slid across to Amad Diallo in the area and he decides to have a crack first time.

It's a decent effort, but Kepa Arrizabalaga collects.

There are groans around Old Trafford as Noussair Mazraoui's pass is miscotnrolled by Tyrell Malacia and goes out of play.

United have not had the best of starts and if it continues like this the expected groans will be very high.

Bournemouth have started pretty well here.

The Cherries are pressing aggressively and are looking to get in behind the United defence at every possibility.

United have a real challenge on their hands this afternoon.

We are underway!

Bournemouth get the game underway to a little roar from the home crowd, who aren't in the finest voice this afternoon.

Will their side give them something to cheer about?

Marcus Rashford’s continued absence from the United squad tells us this issue isn’t going away anytime soon. Ruben Amorim could have left out Rashford once to prove his point and then brought him back in – as he has done with Alejandro Garnacho – but United’s new head coach clearly isn’t backing down on this one.

It suggests Rashford’s days at United are numbered after two decades at the club and a January exit looms, but Amorim has built a reputation for good man-management so let’s wait to see if he can turn it around.

Well, that was a backhand compliment and a half from Luke, I'm not sure whether I should be offended or not...

He's never actually seen my skills as a right-back, that's all I'm saying. Thanks anyway, though.

Anyway, that's enough of that... the players are now coming out of the tunnel at Old Trafford.

One last blast in the Theatre of Dreams before Christmas - let's hope it's a good one.

The players have been through their warm-ups, the tactical messages have been given. Not long to go now.

And with that, I'm off. It's time for Harry Bamforth to take over the blog. He hasn't amounted to much on the pitch himself, but he is a fine blogger and well worth your attention.

Alright everyone, less than 15 minutes to go now. Get yourselves in the comments section and give us some predictions, if you like.

One reader from Wirral writes in: 'Why is he messing with the team again. Zirkzee up front!!! Play your best 11 please.'

But one from london disagrees: 'I’m liking that team. 4-0 to United'.

It's a 50th Bournemouth appearance for Milos Kerkez, who Fabrizio Romano recently reported could be a target for Manchester United in January.

Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, and Evanilson are Bournemouth's top scorers in the Premier League this season, with five, four, and four goals respectively.

They all start today, and don't forget Dango Ouattara, who is also in from the beginning. No Marcus Tavernier today.

A lot of pace and skill up top for Bournemouth. I wouldn't want to be Harry Maguire.

After midweek, Amorim has made six changes.

Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Joshua Zirkzee return to the starting XI.

Matthijs De Ligt misses out through sickness with Mason Mount requiring several weeks to recover.

'Matta [Matthijs] is still sick and Harry we just saved him from that game [Thursday], because he did the first 90 minutes for a long time [at City] and we have to be careful with this kind of player,' said Amorim.

'Josh [Zirkzee] he did really well in the last game and we need fresh legs. Onana returns to the Premier League, so everything has a purpose and we are ready for this game.'

The two bosses were pictured in conversation earlier this afternoon.

Bournemouth are off to their best-ever start to a Premier League season, with 25 points after 16 games, and if Amorim needs any encouragement about how to turn things around then he can look no further than the Spaniard, who failed to win any of his first nine matches at the helm of the south cost club but now has them competing for Europe just over a year later.

We've been granted a glimpse into United's inner sanctum ahead of kick-off. How accommodating of them.

Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes are subtly flashing their watches, perhaps in a sign that they wish to become referees when their playing days are over.

This is literally the most inappropriate match Santa Claus could have picked. He's got a world to provide for and yet here he is, sauntering around outside Old Trafford while his minions work away in Lapland. Couldn't he have just attended a match in, say, March, or September?

It's either Santa Claus, or, after his outfit at the boxing last night, it could well be Tyson Fury, just with a slightly longer beard.

Manchester United are reportedly planning a post-season trip to Malaysia for a big-money tour that could bank the club around £8million.

Malaysia isn't famed for its football but it has a grand selection of high-capacity arenas, including the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.

Watch out, though - going to Malaysia post-season could land them slap bang in the middle of the southwest monsoon season, if my rapid internet sleuthing is to be trusted. I wonder if the stadiums there have leaky roofs.

Speaking to Sky Sports:

It is my decision, and it always will be.

I want to see the best of my players, and I try different things with different players, so that is my focus.

Thanks for that insight, Ruben. Gave so much away there...

Not sure if 'trying different things with different players' is enough of a justification to please Rashford.

Scoff at expected goals all you like, but that's a hugely encouraging stat for Bournemouth fans - they're heavily outranking United on that metric. Oh, and they're creating more and scoring more.

Their front four are among the most exciting to watch in my opinion and coming up against United's new system it'll be interesting to see what they can carve out.

Feel-good tales are hard to come by at United in the modern era but it is nice to see Tyrell Malacia back playing football.

Amorim handed him his first Premier League start in 18 months for the defeat by Arsenal earlier this month, but he only got 45 minutes. He's back starting today.

Alright, United fans, sorry for resurrecting this memory - and you can thank me abundantly if you're a Cherries fan.

Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi helped Bournemouth to their first-ever win at Old Trafford last December.

You can re-live that day below.

Garnacho returned to the bench in midweek and retains his place there today, but there's no sign of Rashford.

So, what is Ruben Amorim seeing? What is motivating him to freeze out a player who has been at the club for 20 years?

Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler takes you behind the curtain and explains Amorim's point of view.

It's fair to say Darren Lewis and Melissa Reddy didn't see eye-to-eye on Marcus Rashford's situation at Old Trafford...

Speaking to Sky Sports:

It's not big team news anymore. It's a pattern that has developed over the last week. you leave him out three games on the bounce, something really is going wrong or has gone wrong.

It's getting to the point in the journey where it's an inevitable ending. One thing in the past with United, where you're talking to me every single week (about a player) and you ask the manager and he becomes the focal point, it becomes obvious that he has to leave.

Marcus might think it's the right thing for him.

Something has to change at Manchester United. For 10 years we've been watching the same players deliver the same results. If they've not got enough quality, they have to be let go.

Well, there's our answer. No Rashford today.

Mixed, really. One family member told me that he can't see any difference to the Erik ten Hag era. Tough crowd.

Amorim has already experienced highs and lows in the dugout with his new club. Trying to enforce his style of play, he's won four of his eight matches but also lost three.

Beating City in a breathless Manchester derby constituted a peak, but then came the trough in midweek as they lost 4-3 to Tottenham.

Amad Diallo has been a stadnout star under Amorim and will be hoping to continue his fine form.

There are another team playing today, of course, and if we learned anything from Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Monday night, it's not to foul Enes Unal just outside the area. Not unless you want to concede a sublime top-corner free-kick.

The Cherries are unbeaten in four, having won the three games prior to their draw with West Ham, and beat Manchester City in Novemnber, if that counts for anything nowadays.

A tough test for Amorim as he continues to acclimatise to the Premier League.

Despite his early complaints about the intensity of media commitments that come with the United job, Amorim has already proven he is adept at dealing with the questions hurled his way, at least away from the pitch.

This is what he had to say on Rashford's situation:

Of course, because this kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent. So he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.

We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. And that’s all.

I think it’s right. We have here a new challenge. It’s a tough one, for me it’s the biggest challenge in football because we are in a difficult situation and I already said this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. This is a really new challenge and the biggest one. I really hope all my players are ready for this new challenge.

This is the monumental question facing United's Portuguese boss.

It's United's first game since Rashford's bombshell admission that he is ready for a 'new challenge' - a claim which Amorim cleverly spun by insisting that's exactly what they have on their hands together at Old Trafford.

Sweet words only get you so far, though, and Amorim faces the cold, hard reality of having to select 11 men. Will Rashford be one of them?

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport's live blog of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Bournemouth, kicking off at 2pm.

It's a big day for Ruben Amorim, who could thrust his side as high as eighth and leapfrog and leapfrog the Cherries in the process.

Also some key selection decisions to make, as always, but the stakes are higher this time...