Manchester United 1 Bournemouth 0
Manchester United bounced back from the disappointment of the derby as a Romelu Lukaku header secured a 1-0 win over a stubborn Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
United had a 40-match unbeaten home run in all competitions ended by Manchester City on Sunday, but got back to winning ways thanks to a first-half Lukaku bullet header. Substitute Marcus Rashford rattled the crossbar midway through the second period, but the single goal was enough for the vital three points.
Jose Mourinho opted to make four changes from the City defeat with the likes of Phil Jones returning for his first start for over a month, while Luke Shaw returned after impressing against CSKA Moscow and Scott McTominay made his first start since the win over Benfica.
Anthony Martial tried a delicate flicked ball over the top which just evaded Lukaku and Juan Mata, before the Cherries began to get a foothold in the game themselves. First, Charlie Daniels tried his luck from 25 yards which forced David De Gea had to save smartly down to his left, before the Spaniard then had to punch away Dan Gosling's effort.
However, United took the lead when Mata crossed perfectly for Lukaku, who held off two defenders and steered a header into the top corner. His celebrations were subdued, but deep down, the Belgian would have been delighted to be back among the goals.
De Gea was called into action again seconds before the break as Ryan Fraser's cross so nearly caught the Spaniard off guard, but he managed to scamper across and palm the ball away to maintain the Reds lead.
The Reds were dominating possession with young McTominay impressing in the centre of the park, before substitute Rashford came off the bench and so nearly doubled the lead, but rattled the crossbar from 35 yards with a thunderous effort.
THE LINE-UPS
United: De Gea; Valencia (c), Jones, Smalling, Shaw (Young 83); Matic, McTominay, Mata, Lingard (Herrera 71), Martial (Rashford 66); Lukaku.
Subs not used: Romero, Blind, Lindelof, Ibrahimovic.
Booked: Lukaku
Bournemouth: Begovic, Smith, Francis (c), Ake, Daniels; Stanislas (Afobe 71), Arter, Gosling (L. Cook 77), Fraser; King, Wilson (Defoe 71).
Subs not used: Boruc, S Cook, Surman, Ibe
Booked: Gosling, Arter.
LUKAKU BACK AMONG THE GOALS
United fans would have been delighted to see the big Belgian back on the scoresheet. Lukaku emphasised how deadly he is in the air, holding off two Cherries defenders to expertly head past Begovic.
SHAW IMPRESSES AGAIN
Luke Shaw picked up where he left off against CSKA Moscow, impressing with his enthusiastic energy down the flank and he won the ball back on numerous occasions with every tackle cheered by the Old Trafford faithful.
Back to winning ways
GallerySwipe through the best photos from United's victory over Bournemouth.
The Reds travel to Alan Pardew's West Bromwich Albion on Sunday 17 December, with kick off at 14:15 GMT, with the Baggies buoyed by a goalless draw at Liverpool.