United tried to get back into it through Bruno. Demien watched Bournemouth's shape rather than the ball. Every time it went to a United fullback, two Bournemouth players moved at once. Mainoo broke through the first line a couple of times with good turns, but the forwards weren't always in position to receive the next pass.
McTominay got forward once, but Bournemouth won it back before Bruno could find him.
Garnacho cut in and forced a save from Neto. Bruno curled in a cross that was headed clear. Højlund kept dropping between the center-backs and getting squeezed out before he could turn.
Bournemouth stayed dangerous on the break. Solanke ran the channel between center-back and fullback and forced Onana to come out quickly to smother it.
HALFTIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0 — 1 BOURNEMOUTH
Ten Hag didn't abandon the plan. Demien could see him through the dressing room door, talking to Mainoo and McTominay with his hands held apart — distance, distance. The same eleven went back out.
