Man Utd strengthen grip on top-four place with Bournemouth stroll

Bournemouth’s Colombian midfielder Jefferson Lerma (L) vies with Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 3, 2023. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP)

Marcus Rashford scored for a fourth consecutive game as Manchester United eased to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday to strengthen their grip on a Premier League top-four place.

A first-half goal from Brazil World Cup star Casemiro and second-half strikes from England internationals Luke Shaw and Rashford gave Erik ten Hag’s men a ninth win in 10 games in all competitions.

United, who lost their first two Premier League games of the season, have now garnered 35 points from their 17 games — level with third-placed Newcastle and five points ahead of Tottenham, in fifth.

“I’m happy with the result,” said Ten Hag, who is in his first season at the club. “Today it was not our best game. We have to be honest, we didn’t play that smart as a team.

“We made great goals, but at times we were quite lucky, and some great saves from David (de Gea). We could have been smarter as a team.”

Rashford came back into United’s starting XI for the visit to Old Trafford of struggling Bournemouth, who are just two points above the relegation zone.

The England forward was dropped at Wolves on Saturday after oversleeping and missing a meeting but came off the bench to bag the winner, and returned on Tuesday as one of four changes alongside Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Donny van de Beek.

Lisandro Martinez, available again after Argentina’s World Cup victory, was limited to an 88th-minute introduction after parading his winners’ medal before