Joshua King scored the winner as Bournemouth added to Manchester United's recent struggles with a 2-1 victory at Dean Court this evening.
Former United forward King made the vital contribution early in the second half to put more pressure on Louis van Gaal, whose side were knocked out of the Champions League.
Bournemouth took the lead after just two minutes in rather fortuitous circumstances, as an in-swinging Junior Stanislas corner evaded United keeper David de Gea and his defence, before reaching the top corner of the net.
© Getty Images
The visitors responded well to going behind, and could have pegged the Cherries back immediately but for an Artur Boruc double save to deny a Marouane Fellaini volley and Paddy McNair header in quick succession.
United grabbed their equaliser on 24 minutes when Michael Carrick played in Memphis Depay with a long ball, only for the Dutch winger's initial effort to be kept out by Boruc, before the alert Fellaini sent the rebound into the net.
© Getty Images
Bournemouth threatened their advantage before half time, as De Gea tipped a Stanislas free kick over the crossbar, before King and Matt Ritchie both spurned opportunities.
The Cherries continued to look the more threatening side after the break, coming close to taking the lead when Simon Francis was denied by De Gea, who parried the effort away for a corner.
From Matt Ritchie's set piece that followed, the ball landed at the feet of former United youngster King, who fired past De Gea to restore the hosts' advantage.
© Getty Images
Louis van Gaal's side almost found an immediate response as Fellaini found himself in a good position to shoot, before firing straight at Boruc.
The visitors struggled to create many chances as they searched for another goal, with just several blocked Fellaini efforts to show for their ventures forward.
The Cherries missed a glorious opportunity to add a third goal on 71 minutes through substitute Glenn Murray, who worked his way past the United defence inside the area, only to blaze his effort on goal skywards.
Murray had replaced King, who was forced off with a hamstring injury, but he failed to show the same composure in front of goal as another chance was wasted when he sent a half-volley over after being left unmarked at a corner.
© Getty Images
Anthony Martial almost made the substitute pay for his misses when he evaded a couple of challenges, before miscuing an effort over the crossbar to the relief of the home supporters.
Van Gaal's side were unable to force home an equaliser late on as Bournemouth, who are now three points clear of the relegation zone, clinched another vital win just a week after shocking Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
No Data Analysis info