MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United fell to an 11th defeat of the season after losing at home to Bournemouth 3-0 in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi sparked loud jeers inside Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag's team missed out on the chance to move level on points with defending champion Manchester City.
The latest loss — a seventh in the league — came a day after Ten Hag was named manager of the month for November.
It also followed a morale-boosting win against Chelsea in midweek after reports of player unrest in the locker room.
Despite a troubled campaign so far, United went into the game just three points off fourth-placed City.
But a mistake-ridden performance against Bournemouth highlighted the problems within United it was roundly beaten.
Bournemouth had won three of its last four games and was unbeaten during that run.
That was a warning to United of the threat posed by Andoni Iraola's improving team. But the home team looked ill-equipped to handle the visitors’ quick attacks and was behind in the fifth minute.
Bournemouth punished United for sloppy play at the back as Lewis Cook capitalized on a loose pass by Bruno Fernandes, charged into the box, and played a low cross to the near post. Solanke was the sharpest to react and finished coolly with a side-footed shot.
The forward came close to adding a second when hitting the post in the 38th, while United’s best chance in the first half came from a Harry Maguire header that was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Neto.
United improved after the break without creating a clear chance and Ten Hag sent on Rasmus Hojlund in the 56th.
After soaking up a period of pressure, Bournemouth doubled the lead through substitute Billing in the 68th. Luke Shaw's errant pass sparked a quick break and Solanke played in Marcus Tavernier on the left. Tavernier then curled a cross for Billing to head into the top corner.
It was 3-0 five minutes later when Senesi rose to head in Tavernier's corner and prompt angry jeers from the home crowd.
Substitute Dango Ouattara looked to have made it 4-0 after more bad defending from United, but the goal was ruled out for handball.
Nottingham Forest 1, Wolverhampton 1
WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Matheus Cunha's goal denied Nottingham Forest a much-needed win as Wolverhampton came back to draw 1-1 in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Forest manager Steve Cooper has faced intense speculation about his position after a 5-0 rout by Fulham on Wednesday.
While his team managed to halt a four-game losing run at Molineux, it has won only one of its last 12 league games. Forest is 16th in the standings and five points above the relegation zone, having played a game more than Everton and Luton in 17th and 18th respectively.
Forest was ahead in the 14th minute through Harry Toffolo, who headed in a cross from Neco Williams.
But thoughts of a first win since Nov. 5 were hit by Cunha's leveller in the 32nd, with Pablo Sarabia providing the assist.
Wolves were 12th in the standings.
Brighton 1, Burnley 1
BRIGHTON, England — Brighton was frustrated by a superb performance from Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford as the home side came from behind to draw 1-1 in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Brighton ended up eighth in the standings on goal difference, missing a chance to leapfrog Tottenham, Manchester United and Newcastle.
Burnley's valuable point kept it second to last on goal difference.
Burnley scored against the run of play thanks to Wilson Odobert's sensational solo effort at the end of the first half, and looked set to claim a second away win in the league.
But Simon Adingra headed in from Pascal Gross' cross in the 77th minute and Brighton bombarded the Burnley goal.
Trafford, however, produced the form of his life to keep out, first, Jack Hinshelwood's header then Kaoru Mitoma's bullet at the death.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.