Only two clubs in Premier League history had ever gone 3-0 up at Old Trafford on three separate occasions. Marco Rose’s Bournemouth became the third on Sunday, matching Liverpool and Manchester City with the kind of away record most sides spend decades failing to put together. It was also Bournemouth’s first ever win at the ground.
Bournemouth are now one of only three teams to score two or more goals in four consecutive Premier League away games against Manchester United, according to Opta data compiled by The Analyst, joining Manchester City (2011-12 to 2014-15) and Brighton (2022-23 to 2025-26). Their goals-per-game ratio in 10 Old Trafford visits now stands at 1.8, the best of any side to visit United more than once in Football League history.
Rayan opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a low finish from a set-piece. Marcus Tavernier doubled the lead five minutes later after a United defensive error, and Evanilson rolled in the third in the 71st minute. United had 17 shots to Bournemouth’s 10 but little of it bothered the visitors’ goalkeeper.
Michael Carrick had made four changes from a midweek European defeat, and the most striking was Bruno Fernandes. The captain started on the bench after Gary Neville, on Sky Sports, described his recent public comments as “a direct attack on the manager.” The home end chanted “sacked in the morning” from the second half, applauded Carrick off the pitch and booed the players.
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Manchester United sit 16th on seven points from eight matches, one point above the relegation zone. That is their worst start to a top-flight season since 1986-87. Carrick has not won in any competition for eight games.
Rose, who replaced Andoni Iraola at the Vitality Stadium for the 2026-27 campaign after signing a three-year deal in the summer, offered sympathy for his opposite number.
“I feel a lot of empathy for my colleagues, for everyone. I feel empathy for Michael,” Rose told Sky Sports.
Carrick himself was asked what came next.
“It was a strange mix of emotions at the end. It’s a tough situation. What is next? I don’t know,” he told Sky Sports.
An official statement from Old Trafford did not come on Sunday night. Manchester United are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and must comply with US disclosure obligations before announcing a material change in management, meaning any decision on Carrick is expected to be formalised once Monday trading opens in New York.
