Carrick in trouble after Bournemouth humbling

AP:

Michael Carrick patted his chest and gave an apologetic salute to Manchester United fans applauding him before trudging down the tunnel at the end of another bruising afternoon at Old Trafford.

Then came a chorus of boos for the United players walking behind him.

United had just lost 3-0, once again, to Bournemouth in the Premier League, and the disgruntled home support made clear where its loyalties lay in the latest sorry chapter for a club that, not too long ago, stood at the pinnacle of English football.

Indeed, the only person to escape censure was the manager presiding over an eight-match winless run that is bringing fresh embarrassment to the country’s biggest club.

“It hurts an awful lot to see us going through this at this moment in time,” said an emotional-looking Carrick, who spoke of his “mixed emotions” during a match that further exposed the frailties of his struggling United team.

“It wasn’t a farewell from me,” Carrick added of the post-match lap of the field with his players. “What it looks like, what is next – I really don’t know. But I’ll always do what’s best for this football club.”

Carrick is trying everything to pull United out of their perilous position, with the club languishing in 16th place in the 20-team Premier League.

That has even included dropping captain Bruno Fernandes.

The humbling by Bournemouth came four days after a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, a result that was followed by Fernandes’ critical comments about Carrick’s tactics.

Carrick responded by leaving the Portugal star, England’s player of the year last season, out of the starting line-up in what he described as a “pure football” decision.

Fernandes briefly warmed up but never made it onto the field as United defended poorly and Bournemouth struck through Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson.

Carrick’s position is under severe threat, barely five months after signing a permanent contract following his success in guiding the team back into the Champions League during a short-term spell in charge last season.

However, removing Carrick would not solve United’s deeper problems. Fans also directed chants at Director of Football Jason Wilcox, who recently came under criticism from defender Lisandro Martinez, and the majority-owning Glazer family before turning their frustrations on the players.

United have won just one of their eight league matches this season, a home victory over promoted Ipswich on August 30.

“It’s nowhere near good enough,” United defender Harry Maguire said. “Something needs to change.”

As for Bournemouth, they have now beaten United 3-0 at Old Trafford in three of the last four seasons. Their other visit during that span ended in a 4-4 draw.

Brighton run ends at Anfield

Brighton, the Premier League’s surprise package this season, were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool for their first defeat since August.

The south-coast club had enjoyed a stunning run that featured two 5-0 victories and a 3-0 win over defending champions Arsenal.

That streak ended at Anfield, with Liverpool scoring twice in a four-minute spell midway through the first half. Pascal Gross diverted Florian Wirtz’s effort into his own net before Alexander Isak converted Bradley Barcola’s cross.

It was Liverpool’s first home league win under Andoni Iraola, who was appointed manager during the summer, and it lifted the team into fourth place, one point behind Brighton.

Brighton enjoyed 64 per cent possession and registered 17 shots, though only one was on target. Manager Fabian Hurzeler described the result as a “missed opportunity” to further underline his team’s emergence as a force in the league.

“I think everyone in the stadium saw that there was one team who really tried to create and try to win this game,” Hurzeler said, “and therefore I have to praise my players.”

Win for Newcastle

Newcastle defeated Crystal Palace 2-0, thanks to second-half goals from William Osula and Harvey Barnes.

Hull and Brentford drew 1-1, while Sunderland and Leeds played out a goalless draw.