Published on 09:53 PM, May 20, 2023

Man United beat Bournemouth to close on CL

Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (C) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on May 20, 2023. Photo: AFP

Midfielder Casemiro scored a brilliant acrobatic volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them closer to Champions League football next season.

United moved to 69 points in fourth place in the table, behind Newcastle United on goal difference.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead in the ninth minute when Cherries defender Marcos Sensesi tried to hook away a Christian Eriksen pass behind the defence, but only succeeded in teeing up Casemiro for a brilliant spinning volley.

The home side found their feet midway through the first half as Dominic Solanke controlled a long ball into the box and unleashed a shot that David De Gea had to dive to his left to save.

That sparked a positive spell for Bournemouth, with Victor Lindelof forced into a number of defensive headers, but they were soon on the back foot again as United took control again in the second half.

The visitors had plenty of chances without adding another goal and were almost made to pay when substitute Kieffer Moore and Senesi both went close late on, but United held on for a win that prompted wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.