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As it happenedended

Manchester United vs Bournemouth: Paul Pogba inspires side to third consecutive victory

re-live the action from Old Trafford

Callum Rice-Coates
Sunday 30 December 2018 18:13 GMT
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants permanent Manchester United job

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Paul Pogba's man-of-the-match display helped bring Manchester United's turbulent year to a positive end, with Bournemouth comprehensively defeated as caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw another morale-boosting performance.

The exciting post-Jose Mourinho era continues apace at Old Trafford, where players are now displaying freedom, fluidity and cohesion sorely lacking towards the end of the Portuguese's reign.

Pogba has enjoyed the starkest change in fortunes. A fortnight on from being an unused substitute in Mourinho's final match, the midfielder scored twice and set up another as United beat Eddie Howe's Cherries 4-1 in the final Premier League match of 2018.

United appear liberated by Solskjaer, whose side have scored 12 goals and picked up nine points since his appointment as caretaker manager. Sir Matt Busby and Mourinho are the only others to have won their first three league games as manager of the club. Re-live the action below:


Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Manchester United vs Bournemouth. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah30 December 2018 13:48

The teams are in!

Lawrence Ostlere30 December 2018 15:39

And here they are written down...

Man Utd: De Gea; Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw; Ander Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Martial.

Bournemouth: Begovic; Cook, Ake, Daniels; Ibe, Rico; Brooks, Surman; Stanislas, Wilson, King.

Four changes by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Ashley Young, Eric Bailly, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial replace Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Fred and Juan Mata. Eddie Howe opts to leave Ryan Fraser on the bench, with a powerful attacking duo of Callum Wilson and Josh King leading the line. 

Lawrence Ostlere30 December 2018 15:41

After wins for Manchester City and Chelsea earlier today, we now turn our attention to the last game of the day: Manchester United host Bournemouth at Old Trafford looking for a third successive win under new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Cherries have lost their last six away games and face a United side in confident mood after big wins over Cardiff and Huddersfield. Expect another positive performance from the hosts.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:22

The teams are out to a great reception at Old Trafford. We're moments away from kick off.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:28

United get us going for the first half. Can they build on their last two victories?

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:31

Manchester United 0-0 Bournemouth

2 minutes

United are quickly onto the front foot. They win a free kick in Bournemouth's half and Ashley Young floats in a cross. It evades everyone, though, and rolls out for a goal kick.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:33

GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth (Pogba)

5 minutes

Brilliant from Marcus Rashford. He finds himself near the corner flag on the right wing, beats two defenders and pulls the ball across goal. Paul Pogba is there to tap in and add to the two goals he got against Huddersfield. The perfect start for United.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:35

Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth

7 minutes

Begovic has to be alert to get to the ball before Martial, who was racing onto Matic's through ball. United, under Solskjaer, are not going to stop attacking.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:38

Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth

9 minutes

Rashford has a spring in his step. He closes down Begovic at some speed and very nearly gets a foot to the ball before the goalkeeper can clear.

Callum Rice-Coates30 December 2018 16:40

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