Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth: Nightmare for Carrick as Fernandes move backfires

Manchester United’s latest crisis went from bad to worse when they were handed a stinging 3-0 drubbing Premier League defeat at home to Bournemouth.

Abused in midweek by Serie A side Como, United were equally inept at home as the Cherries notched back-to-back big wins. beating AC Milan on Thursday night.

The they made headlines before the game when Michael Carrick benched captain Bruno Fernandes after he became the last key player to speak in midweek.

Fernandes suggested it was the responsibility of the manager and his coaching staff to identify problems and make changes during matches after their dismal performance in Como.

As a result, he was left out and benched during a woeful display that leaves United 16th in the Premier League and Carrick surely on loan.

Rayan side-footed Bournemouth at Old Trafford before Marcus Tavernier doubled the lead shortly after the break.

And there was time for Evanilson to score a brilliant third as Old Trafford emptied.

Bournemouth had been in the lead when they took the lead. Defender Ayden Heaven was booked for a stupid two-footed challenge that went wide, and from the resulting free-kick, Brazilian striker Rayan pounced.

Bryan Mbeumo then had United’s first late strike, but not before chants of “morning looting” were directed at Carrick.

And Tavernier managed to tap in a second before the break after another error from Leny Yoro.

Fernandes was left on the bench at half-time as Carrick sent on Matheus Cunha, with Bournemouth having the ball in the net 25 seconds into the restart after more disastrous defending.

An offside flag saved United that time, with the hapless Heaven immediately gifting another chance, but Rayan’s shot was blocked.

United, now without a win in eight games in all competitions, were all over the place and 3-0 down when Evanilson outran the defense to grab a clearance, raced around Senne Lammens and curled in from an unlikely angle.

Carrick had his name chanted late on as supporters took their dissent to the club’s board, but with Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool the hosts in trouble, and by no mistake.

Premier League table

Team Man United vs Bournemouth

United made four changes from their Champions League defeat at Como on Wednesday, with Leny Yoro back from suspension in a defense with Ayden Heaven, who had missed two games through illness.

New signing Carlos Baleba joined Amad Diallo as newcomers in midfield. Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha have moved to the bench, joined once again by Lisandro Martinez.

Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Amad Diallo, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba, Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee, Shea Lacey, Tyler Fletcher

Bournemouth team vs Manchester United

Bournemouth made four changes from their 3-0 home win against Milan in the Europa League on Thursday, bringing back goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, full-back Adam Smith, midfielder Lewis Cook and striker Rayan.

Michele Di Gregorio, Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak and Bafode Diakite were on the bench. Junior Kroupi, who scored 13 league goals for the club last season, made his first appearance in the 2026/27 matchday squad following a foot injury.

Bournemouth: Djordje Petrovic, Adam Smith, James Hill, Antonio Silva, Adrien Truffert, Rayan, Tyler Adams, Justin Kluivert, Lewis Cook, Marcus Tavernier, Evanilson

Substitutes: Michele Di Gregorio, Julio Soler, David Brooks, Ryan Christie, Ben Gannon-Doak, Bafode Diakite, Amine Adli, Junior Kroupi, Alvaro Rodriguez

what happens next Man United, Bournemouth matches

United are next in action next Saturday, visiting Chelsea in the top flight. Bournemouth host Aston Villa in the fourth round of the EFL Cup before hosting Leeds United in a week’s time.

Upcoming games of Manchester United and Bournemouth