Bournemouth 0-1 Manchester United: 3 talking points from the tight win
Casemiro’s early stunner proved to be all the difference in the 0-1 win for Manchester United REUTERS/Hannah Mckay.
Manchester United had fortune and grit on their side as they secured a crucial three points away to AFC Bournemouth.
The fourth-place finish in the Premier League is seriously up for grabs and this was a crucial win in that hunt for Champions League football. Here are the essential talking points from the fixture:
1. De Gea Secures the Golden Glove
With this cleansheet, David De Gea has secured the Golden Glove for this season’s campaign, maintaining the best defensive record of any shot-stopper in the League. This may come as a surprise to some given how De Gea’s errors have robbed the side of crucial points on more than one occasion this campaign.
However, the accolade is the Spaniard’s to laud and now an argument can be made that this is a befitting way to bow out of a fine career at Manchester United.
2. That Casemiro Goal
Apart from scoring far too few goals this season, very few of the Red Devils’ successful attempts have been picturesque. Casemiro changed all of that with his world-class finish that is sure to go down as one of the most perfect Premier League goals of the campaign.
However, apart from scoring the winner, the Brazilian who has now netted 5 goals, accumulated 5 assists, and suffered 2 red cards since the World Cup, was also a total defensive workhorse. Perhaps De Gea should credit the former Real Madrid man for some of those 17 cleansheets.
3. Top 4 in Sight
The scrappy 1-1 draw at Anfield ensures that in order to keep Liverpool firmly at bay, the Red Devils merely need one point and Champions League football is guaranteed for the next campaign.
A struggling Chelsea and a top-happy Fulham could pose a challenge, but the London clubs are likely to facilitate a Mancunian triumph.