Bournemouth Fans Dream Of Europe After Humbling Man Utd
“It doesn’t happen a lot that you come to this kind of stadium and win 3-0,” said Andoni Iraola after Bournemouth’s stylish win at Manchester United.
Except the Cherries are beginning to make a habit of winning by that scoreline at Old Trafford.
For the second time in 12 months, Iraola’s side dismantled United in their own home.
In December 2023, goals by Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi saw them cruise to their first ever win at the famous venue.
And on Sunday, 19-year-old Dean Huijsen set them on their way to a repeat win before Justin Kluivert’s penalty doubled the lead and Antoine Semenyo left travelling fans singing “Man United, it’s happened again”.
While United will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time in Premier League history, Bournemouth climbed to fifth in the top flight – their highest ever position at this stage of the year.
They have 28 points from 17 games, six more than after the same number of matches last season.
The Cherries will spend Christmas two places above Manchester City, and are just three points off the top four.
‘I don’t want to jinx it’
Iraola replaced Gary O’Neil when he was appointed head coach on a two-year deal in June 2023.
Having guided Bournemouth to 48 points last season, their highest Premier League points tally, they have kicked on in eye-catching style.
In what is their eighth season in the Premier League, the Cherries have beaten Arsenal (home, 2-0), Manchester City (home, 2-1), Tottenham (home, 1-0) and now United in 2024-25.
“It feels great, back-to-back wins at Old Trafford – my second time here and my second win,” forward Antoine Semenyo told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We know we have a good team and we are taking it game-by-game. I am not going to say too much and I don’t want to jinx it.”
Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown, who was at Old Trafford for 5 Live, said Bournemouth fully deserved their win.
“I have got to give Bournemouth credit with their composure,” he added.
“They have stuck to their structure and defended in good numbers. Their workrate for each other is really good.”
‘We are not a tall team’
Bournemouth, who host Crystal Palace on 26 December, are undefeated in their past five Premier League matches, with four of those games wins.
Huijsen, who opened the scoring at Old Trafford, was signed in the summer from Juventus for an initial £12.8m.
Sunday’s goal was the teenager’s second in four appearances after netting the winner against Tottenham on 5 December.
“We have lost [injured] Marcos Senesi, who is a great centre-back for us and very important for the team,” added Iraola.
“We are not a very tall team, but with Dean, he is a very tall centre-back. He believes in himself – even in this stadium.”
The loss of Dominic Solanke, who provided 19 Premier League goals last season, was a bitter blow to the Cherries.
Yet they have managed to score in their past 10 Premier League games.
Kluivert, who won the penalty from which he scored to make it 2-0, now has six in the top flight and is Bournemouth’s leading scorer this season.
‘We have big aspirations’
With Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham all out of form, could Bournemouth qualify for Europe for the first time in their history?
Their fans think so – they were singing about European qualification during the win at Old Trafford.
“I think they have to enjoy it a lot because normally it doesn’t happen a lot of times that you come to these stadiums,” added Iraola.
“I’ve come as a player and it’s difficult to have this kind of result, so obviously we have to enjoy, they have to enjoy.
“But we know how much it costs to win one Premier League game, just one against anyone.
“To win one Premier League game is very, very difficult, so we have to continue the same way otherwise the results will be much worse, for sure.”
In December 2023, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley said he was confident the club could qualify for Europe within five years.
More recently, he told BBC Sport: “We have big aspirations, but we are patient.
“Our goal this year is modest. Can we move to the top eight or nine, maybe even sneak into Europe?
“Our real goal is to play in Europe, to give our players a chance to experience Europe and do it with little Bournemouth.”
Cherries fans might need to dust off their passports if their team keep on impressing like they did at Old Trafford.
