Marcus Rashford Shines Against Bournemouth

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s honeymoon as Manchester United manager is still in full flow after a 4-1 win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Paul Pogba got two, Marcus Rashford added a third and Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to score a fourth as United won their third successive game under the Norwegian, despite playing the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Eric Bailly’s red card.

The gloom has lifted and the goals are back — Solskjaer’s tally stands at 12 in his first three games. Pogba got his fourth in the last two games, while Rashford put in a man-of-the-match performance before going off early with a groin problem.

Rashford was fantastic. The skill to set up Pogba’s first was mesmerising and his finish just before half-time to score United’s third was one Solskjaer would have been proud of. He also did a lot of unselfish work — dropping into midfield to make space for others and running into the channels. It was the perfect centre forward performance. The only downside to his day was the injury that forced him off after 70 minutes.

GK David De Gea, 6 — Made one instinctive save from Nathan Ake, but could do nothing about the Bournemouth defender’s header just before half-time.

DF Ashley Young, 7 — The type of performance you expect from Young. Stretched Bournemouth when he got forward and defended well.

DF Luke Shaw, 7 — Another solid showing. Didn’t need to get forward as much with Anthony Martial, Rashford and Pogba running riot.

DF Victor Lindelof, 7 — He had a tough time against Callum Wilson at Dean Court in November, but marshalled him well here. The England striker barely got a sniff.

DF Eric Bailly, 5 — His first start since Mourinho’s last game in charge. He was playing well before being sent off for a wild challenge on Ryan Fraser that he didn’t need to make.

MF Nemanja Matic, 7 — The Serbian looks a different player since Solskjaer took over. More options ahead of him means more passes going forward, including one whipped over the top for Martial in the build up to Rashford’s goal.

MF Ander Herrera, 7 — Put a shift in on the right of United’s midfield three and provided a wonderful cross for Pogba to head in his second. Substituted early with the trip to Newcastle in mind.

MF Paul Pogba 8 — Scored twice for the second game in a row and then set up Lukaku. Solskjaer wants the Frenchman playing further forward and it is already paying off.

FW Jesse Lingard, 7 — Clearly prefers to play in a central role but you can’t fault his energy and enthusiasm. Bournemouth could not handle the front four when United went forward.

FW Anthony Martial, 7 — Missed the win over Huddersfield on Boxing Day because of illness but back in the team provided a wonderful cross with the outside of his boot to set up Rashford’s goal.

FW Marcus Rashford, 9 — Wonderful skill to set up Pogba’s first and got the goal his performance deserved by poking in Martial’s cross at the far post. Impressive all-round display at centre forward.