(Football news) Casemiro’s brilliant acrobatic volley gave Manchester United a crucial 1-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth which took them closer to Champions League football next season. United have moved on to 69 points which is level on points with Newcastle United but they are ahead on goal difference. The Red Devils need one point from their two home games against Chelsea and Fulham to seal their return to the Champions League.
Liverpool are on 66 points after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, but have only one game remaining this season. United started the match on the front foot and dominated the opening exchanges as took the lead in the ninth minute when it looked like Marcos Senesi did enough to block the hook pass from Christian Eriksen but he only succeeded in teeing up Casemiro who acrobatically spun a shot the volley in the goal.
The home side eventually got back in the game as Dominic Solanke unleashed a shot that was brilliantly saved by David De Gea. That sparked a positive 10 minute spell for Bournemouth in the first half but soon they were on the back foot as United took control of the match again in the second half. Antony wasted a number of decent chances, while the likes of Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes forced good saves from Neto.
United’s cutting edge over the last month and a half is missing and that was evident as they were almost made to pay for when substitute Kieffer Moore was left one on one with De Gea but he blocked his shot with his feet. Senesi in the final seconds of the match fired just over the bar, but United held on for a very important win. When the match got over United thought they had guaranteed qualification for the Champions League but Roberto Firmino equalised for Liverpool in the dying moments which meant that the celebrations were on the hold for the time being.
“The only criticism is we didn’t kill off the game, we had to produce that second goal but that’s the way this team are. It is not easy scoring goals,” United manager Erik ten Hag told the BBC. “I don’t care what happens in Liverpool, it’s about us. We have to do the job,”
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