The fallout from Manchester United’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Bournemouth has seen former forward Michael Owen criticize the team’s performance, singling out Noussair Mazraoui for his costly penalty error.
Owen didn’t hold back, calling the defender’s decision-making “stupid” and “rash.”
United’s Struggles Against Bournemouth
United’s defeat came just days after a thrilling victory in the Manchester derby, but Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side dominated at Old Trafford.
The match began with young defender Dean Huijsen giving the Cherries the lead with an unmarked header from a free-kick.
Mazraoui’s Mistimed Challenge
Things took a turn for the worse for United when Mazraoui, in the penalty area, mistimed a challenge on Justin Kluivert.
The penalty was awarded, and Kluivert made no mistake from the spot, doubling Bournemouth’s advantage.
Minutes later, Antoine Semenyo added a third, sealing a comfortable win for the visitors.
Owen’s Harsh Criticism of Mazraoui and United
In the aftermath of the match, Owen was scathing in his assessment of United and Mazraoui’s blunder.
When asked about the penalty, Owen did not mince words. “A little rash? A little stupid more like,” he said.
“What on earth are you doing? Two players are waiting for him, he’s not going to score from there and he dives in.”
Owen also expressed his concern about United’s overall performance, saying, “The sad thing about Manchester United these days is they go 1-0 down and you never really think they’re going to come back. They’re not a good team.”
He continued by criticizing the club’s lack of resilience, calling for manager Ruben Amorim to take a tough stance on underperforming players, adding, “He needs to be that brutal and that ruthless.”
United’s Struggling Season
This defeat marked United’s fourth loss in their last six matches across all competitions, continuing the club’s disappointing form.
The result kept them in 13th place in the Premier League, ensuring they would spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1989.
Many fans expressed their frustration, with boos echoing around Old Trafford as the match ended.
The negative atmosphere was evident, with both players and fans feeling the pressure after yet another poor result.
Amorim Reflects on the Team’s Mentality
United’s new coach, Ruben Amorim, spoke about the tense atmosphere at Old Trafford, noting how the team’s anxiety was palpable from the start.
“In this moment, everything is so hard. For a club like Manchester United to lose 3-0 at home, it’s really tough for everybody,” Amorim said.
He acknowledged the disappointment of the fans, noting how the nervous energy from the very first play was evident. “We want to score but we are too nervous,” he explained.
“After that third goal, everyone is suffering in the stadium: the fans, the players, everybody.”
Amorim admitted that the situation at United was challenging but insisted that the team must face the reality and focus on moving forward.
“We have to face it and focus on the next game,” he concluded.
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