Erik ten Hag must do what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn't at Manchester United amid familiar problem

What to do with Manchester United. When the ship seems to steady, a setback arrives and when things look bleak, a victory materialises. It's as frustrating as it is foreseen.

The Reds were far from fluent against Chelsea but they were the better side and merited the three points. But we've been here before with Erik ten Hag's side. They are capable but not consistent. There have been performances in parts undone by dismal, drab defeats.

United have won back-to-back Premier League games just twice this season. One mini-run was ended by a comprehensive derby defeat to Manchester City and the other surrendered meekly at Newcastle United last weekend.

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The Reds played well to sweep aside Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup but were beaten by the same opponents days later. They impressed at Everton and for spells against Galatasaray before collapsing to a chaotic and potentially catastrophic Champions League draw.

And so to Saturday and Bournemouth. The Cherries are springing into life with 10 points from 12 but it's a game United should be winning if they harbour genuine top-four hopes. Plenty of sides have put poor historical runs at Old Trafford to bed in recent seasons, but Bournemouth are not one of them. Indeed they have shipped 12 goals across their last three visits. United can be buoyed by their midweek showing but not many will be taking three points for granted this weekend given the mixed messages Ten Hag's side send out on a weekly basis.

The Reds have been here before, flattering to deceive. Four years ago under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer there was hope of sustained