Manchester United on verge of top-four spot after Casemiro sinks Bournemouth

Mission accomplished for Erik ten Hag. Well, almost. One more point from their final two games against Chelsea and Fulham will be enough to confirm Manchester United’s place in the top four and Champions League qualification for next season after Casemiro’s instinctive overhead kick was enough to secure a vital victory against Bournemouth.

That it was achieved once more in the absence of their top scorer, Marcus Rashford, will have been particularly satisfying for their Dutch manager, who watched his side dominate possession here without ever looking fully secure. But while Gary O’Neil’s side may have offered stiffer opposition had their Premier League status not already been assured, Ten Hag will be delighted that United have overcome their late wobble to come within touching distance of achieving their main objective for the season with two games to spare.

His worst fears may have been realised when it was confirmed that Rashford had not travelled with the squad to the south coast after missing training on Friday due to illness. But the unchanged side from the 2-0 win over Wolves last week was good value for their victory in the end despite David de Gea having to make two outstanding saves in a timely reminder of his best qualities.

While Bournemouth’s players can’t be blamed for being on the beach after their miraculous recovery under O’Neil, their manager – who could consider himself unfortunate after not being named on the shortlist as manager of the year this week – attempted to shake things up with five changes from their defeat to Crystal Palace last week. Former Manchester City youth player David Brooks made his first Premier League start for 598 days after receiving extended treatment for Stage 2 Hodgkin