Man Utd 4-1 Bournemouth: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is not purely focused on attack

Paul Pogba (left) has now been involved in six of Manchester United's 12 goals under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (four goals, two assists)

Caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he is not solely focused on "attacking football" after Manchester United scored their 12th goal in three games as they swept aside Bournemouth.

A cavalier display in the first half at Old Trafford saw United score three times, with Paul Pogba netting his second double in successive matches and Marcus Rashford grabbing the other.

Solskjaer's side conceded their third goal in as many games when Nathan Ake headed in before substitute Romelu Lukaku fired home a fourth.

United, in sixth, are now only three points behind fifth-placed Arsenal, having trailed by eight following the morale-sapping 3-1 defeat at Liverpool earlier this month.

"Everyone thinks I'm looking for attacking football all the time," said Solskjaer.

"But the foundation is how you defend - keep a clean sheet and you have a decent chance to win a game of football.

"Training sessions have been high quality. The tempo and sharpness has been really good, but we will get better and we are working towards a clean sheet."

Pogba poked in his first after Rashford had mesmerised both Ake and Diego Rico on the right, before the French World Cup winner headed in from Ander Herrera's precise delivery.

It was 3-0 when Anthony Martial, back in the XI after recovering from a bug, provided a wonderful cross for Rashford to slide his shot past Asmir Begovic.

Bournemouth, who had looked dangerous on set-pieces, pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage-time when Ake headed in following good work by David Brooks.

Lukaku scored United's fourth from Pogba's pass two minutes after coming on, before defender Eric Bailly was shown a straight red card for scything down Cherries midfielder Ryan Fraser.

This victory means Solskjaer has emulated Sir Matt Busby and Jose Mourinho by winning his first three league games in charge.

The Norwegian will be looking to make it four at Newcastle on Wednesday, while Bournemouth remain 12th in the Premier League.

United rediscover old swagger

The loss at Anfield on 16 December seems like an age ago. On that day United's players trudged off the field having been overwhelmed by their arch-rivals.

Since Solskjaer replaced Mourinho, the Red Devils have reverted to type, playing a style familiar to those who watched attack-minded teams sweep to 13 league titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.

They are not at that level but the watching Ferguson, who turns 77 on Monday, would have been impressed with the way United went about opening up the Cherries' defence from the first whistle.

Pogba and Rashford led the charge. The first goal was all about the Englishman's trickery on the right, as he left both Ake and Rico trailing before striking a low cross which was turned in by Pogba.

Pogba's second was reminiscent of goals scored by former United captain Bryan Robson, as he arrived late to power home a cross from Herrera.

Rashford's strike from close range should have capped off a perfect half of football for United, but Ake's header kept the second half interesting.

United continued to drive at Eddie Howe's side after the break but Lukaku's strike, with his weaker right foot, was the only goal they managed for their efforts.

Pogba was denied his hat-trick by a brilliant Begovic save and the post, and the Bosnian keeper also rushed out to block Rashford's shot.

United only took their foot off the accelerator when Bailly received his third red card while playing for club, 11 minutes from time. The Cherries might argue that Ashley Young should have also been sent off for the reckless manner in which he won the ball from Joshua King in the first half.

Nine goals conceded in two games, but Cherries can take positives

Centre-back Nathan Ake had more of an impact in attack than in defence

It has been a tough post-Christmas period for Bournemouth so far. A 5-0 thumping at Tottenham on 26 December and now this heavy defeat at Old Trafford, coupled with the long-term injury to Simon Francis, has the Cherries looking for solace.

However, they provided enough of an indication on Sunday that better might be forthcoming when they host Watford on Wednesday.

Norway striker King looked a threat throughout, with one shot blocked by Bailly, while David de Gea produced a good save to prevent him from bursting the net.

Defender Ake was also a nuisance for United's defence. Aside from his goal, he produced another goal-bound header which came off the arm of De Gea.

The backline needs working on but Howe's side carries enough of an attacking threat to get them back on track.

Man of the match - Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

'The next few games will be important' - reaction

Man Utd 4-1 Bournemouth: No excuses from Eddie Howe after disappointing defeat

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: "It was disappointing technically and defensively, but I think we have to look at ourselves and think we could have got more from the game.

"We have had a difficult run of games and had some injuries, and maybe we have had a loss of confidence because of that. But we won't make excuses and we have to work hard to turn it around.

"Ultimately, I still believe we are a good team but we are in a difficult moment so these next few games are going to be very important."

Pogba continues to shine under Solskjaer - the stats

United have recorded three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since a run of five in April.
After losing their first league clash with Bournemouth in December 2015, United are unbeaten in each of the past seven Premier League games against them (W6 D1).
No side have kept fewer clean sheets in the Premier League this season than United (two, also Fulham).
Rashford has provided six assists in 17 Premier League appearances this season; as many as in his previous two seasons combined (77 appearances).
Pogba has scored four goals in his three Premier League appearances under Solskjaer, as many as he had in his previous 20 under Mourinho.
Pogba is the first United player to score at least twice in consecutive Premier League appearances since Wayne Rooney in December 2012.
With four goals and three assists, December 2018 has been Pogba's best month for goal involvements in his top-flight career.
Lukaku has scored eight goals in seven Premier League games against Bournemouth - only against West Ham (nine) has he scored more in the competition.
After just four goal involvements in his first 15 Premier League appearances, Bournemouth's Brooks has been involved in three in his past three (two goals, one assist).

What's next?

United travel to Newcastle on Wednesday (20:00 GMT) and Bournemouth are at home to Watford on the same day (19:45 GMT).

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Man Utd

Formation 4-2-3-1

1De Gea
18YoungBooked at 36mins
3BaillyBooked at 79mins
2Lindelöf
23Shaw
21HerreraBooked at 51minsSubstituted forPereiraat 76'minutes
31Matic
14Lingard
6Pogba
11MartialSubstituted forJonesat 82'minutes
10RashfordSubstituted forLukakuat 70'minutes

Substitutes

4Jones
8Mata
9Lukaku
15Pereira
22Romero
27Fellaini
36Darmian

Bournemouth

Formation 3-5-2

27Begovic
3S Cook
5AkéSubstituted forMingsat 82'minutes
11Daniels
10Ibe
20BrooksSubstituted forMoussetat 66'minutes
6Surman
19Stanislas
21Rico
17King
13WilsonSubstituted forFraserat 66'minutes

Substitutes

1Boruc
8Lerma
9Mousset
18Defoe
24Fraser
25Simpson
26Mings

Referee:: Lee Mason
Attendance:: 74,556

Match Stats

Home TeamMan UtdAway TeamBournemouth

Possession: Home65%; Away35%

Shots: Home11; Away7

Shots on Target: Home8; Away3

Corners: Home4; Away5

Fouls: Home10; Away7

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Manchester United 4, Bournemouth 1.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester United 4, Bournemouth 1.

90'+1'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nemanja Matic.
90'
Post update
Offside, Manchester United. Jesse Lingard tries a through ball, but Romelu Lukaku is caught offside.
86'
Post update
Attempt missed. Andrew Surman (Bournemouth) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Ryan Fraser.
85'
Post update
Foul by Paul Pogba (Manchester United).
85'
Post update
Lys Mousset (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Phil Jones replaces Anthony Martial.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Bournemouth. Tyrone Mings replaces Nathan Aké because of an injury.
80'
Post update
Delay in match Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) because of an injury.
79'
Dismissal
Eric Bailly (Manchester United) is shown the red card.
79'
Post update
Foul by Eric Bailly (Manchester United).
79'
Post update
Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
78'
Post update
Andreas Pereira (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78'
Post update
Foul by Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth).
77'
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
76'
Post update
Delay in match Luke Shaw (Manchester United) because of an injury.
76'
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Andreas Pereira replaces Ander Herrera.
75'
Post update
Foul by Luke Shaw (Manchester United).

As It Stood

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Liverpool	20	17	3	0	48	8	40	54
2	Man City	20	15	2	3	54	16	38	47
3	Tottenham	20	15	0	5	43	21	22	45
4	Chelsea	20	13	4	3	38	16	22	43

5	Arsenal	20	11	5	4	42	30	12	38
6	Man Utd	20	10	5	5	41	32	9	35

7	Wolves	20	8	5	7	23	23	0	29

8	Leicester	20	8	4	8	24	23	1	28
9	Watford	20	8	4	8	27	28	-1	28
10	Everton	20	7	6	7	31	30	1	27
11	West Ham	20	8	3	9	27	30	-3	27
12	Bournemouth	20	8	2	10	28	37	-9	26
13	Brighton	20	7	4	9	22	27	-5	25
14	Crystal Palace	20	5	4	11	17	26	-9	19
15	Newcastle	20	4	6	10	15	27	-12	18
16	Cardiff	20	5	3	12	19	38	-19	18
17	Southampton	20	3	6	11	21	38	-17	15

18	Burnley	20	4	3	13	19	41	-22	15
19	Fulham	20	3	5	12	18	43	-25	14
20	Huddersfield	20	2	4	14	12	35	-23	10

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1393 comments

Comment posted by Old Edwardian, at 18:29 30 Dec 2018
Just how bad and confused a manager had Mourinho become?
Comment posted by Simon, at 18:35 30 Dec 2018
@ LFC Champions-Elect
As a City fan, I would like to point out that your name is as obnoxious as your club! You always shoot yourselves in the foot! "Come back when you've won it 18 times"
I never understood why United fans hated you, until 2014! You really are the vilest fans in football!!!
I'm not a fan of United, in any way, but I'd take them over your lot every day of the week!
Comment posted by User0912412114, at 18:30 30 Dec 2018
Pogba unleashed is an entirely different beast.
Comment posted by TheDarkKnight, at 18:32 30 Dec 2018
League position doesn't matter right now. This is all about reinstalling belief into to top class players before mores serious challenges come. Well done OGS.
Comment posted by One4All, at 18:26 30 Dec 2018
3 games on I'm still crying like a baby about how much of a change there has been in our game.

I stopped watching after the first half because I couldn't take the sheer excitement that now is ready to burst out me

Yes, the last three were average clubs, but the top teams ar scoring just as much as us and JM would've found a way to struggle against them.

Ole where have you been.
Comment posted by mcdone, at 20:27 30 Dec 2018
To those of you claiming Eddie Howe is crap. I am no fan of Bournemouth or their manager, but you don't take a team from Lge 2 to Premiership and then keep them there for four seasons and counting, by being crap. Go away and give your heads a shake and stop embarrassing yourselves.
Comment posted by Bruno, at 18:36 30 Dec 2018
It's amazing what happens when you ask world class strikers to go and do what they are good at instead of defending.
Comment posted by D1690544647152, at 18:29 30 Dec 2018
So now Jose's gone, these players can play? Disgraceful. Man Utd fans, they've been cheating you.
Comment posted by Eddguy , at 18:34 30 Dec 2018
Ok well another win and another 4 goals.... it's obvious they're enjoying the game more. Only an idiot would claim United are back but similarly only an idiot could fail to acknowledge the improvement in both form and especially attitude. Daft from Bailly. Bit like Jones you always feel a daft moment isn't too far away......
Comment posted by keefyefc, at 18:29 30 Dec 2018
Another good all round performance by Pogba
That's 3 in a row since Jose left
Unlucky not to get his hattrick
The only part of his game that he needs to work on now is....
His goal scoring celebrations !
By the way he's playing he should get plenty of practice
Comment posted by One4All, at 18:33 30 Dec 2018
There are some real desperate people on this HYS who really can't take MU winning.

Thank you to those people for making our HYS the most popular
Comment posted by JP-Julio-Eugenio-Cal, at 18:32 30 Dec 2018
Like watching the United of old.
Comment posted by User0790103753, at 18:34 30 Dec 2018
What a difference a new manager makes! Brilliant again from Pogba, only way is up.
Comment posted by U16681038, at 18:33 30 Dec 2018
Scoring 12 in the last 3 games tells you all you need to know about confidence and being free from the previous negativity. Can only be good for the Premier League and the game in general. Sure they have a long way to go to rebuild the club and OGS is not the long term solution but a positive and welcome start to the process.
Comment posted by Nosferatu, at 18:26 30 Dec 2018
#3 Tom, overtaking Arsenal should be easy because they're useless, getting above Chelsea will prove more difficult but very possible.
Comment posted by the_grange, at 19:04 30 Dec 2018
The only person who thought that they were bigger than the club is Mourinho
Comment posted by paulh, at 18:31 30 Dec 2018
Not a fan but it's clear to see that a happy team is a productive one.
Never mind all the vile rubbish talking squad.
Comment posted by Boscombeboy, at 18:28 30 Dec 2018
Jayrm.i would LOVE to have a chat face to face and you could tell me how crap you think Eddie Howe is.
Comment posted by Scooby, at 18:30 30 Dec 2018
See that the Devon village has lost its idiot again.
Comment posted by AstroPot, at 18:49 30 Dec 2018
@106 Robs: "Shame Pogba scored twice, I intensely hate the man. He is a virus and wish him nothing but misery in the rest of his career"

--

Shame trolls keep posting here. I intensely hate them. They are viruses and I wish them nothing but misery for the rest of their lives.