Erik ten Hag earned a standing ovation from the Manchester United supporters prior to kick-off. They put their hands together for him again as he strode onto the pitch at full-time.
The season is not over for United but it is now all but a success. Roberto Firmino's late leveller at Anfield has delayed United's Champions League qualification but it is a matter of time now. There is plenty of cause for United fans to put their hands together.
"Jonesy 1-0 Gerrard," chirped the United supporters in a paean to the departing defender. United will have to draw with Chelsea or Fulham next week to defeat Liverpool for fourth place.
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Ten Hag, stood on the touchline for almost the entire duration at Bournemouth, preached calm in the 90th minute. He was anything but as United lethargically wasted an attack and Marcos Sensi's stoppage-time volley dipped just over David de Gea's crossbar.
The United manager seldom appeared happy all afternoon. It was another day the performance came secondary to the result and United got the points they needed. Liverpool dropped points against Aston Villa.
This is not a vintage United side. Goals remain hard to come by but they have a knack of grinding out wins. This was only their eighth away from home in the Premier League all season and it was the most important.
Ten Hag repeatedly pointed in his preferred direction to play the ball. He had remarked on the eve of the game that United's hesitant use of the ball in defence was one of the causes of their woeful away form and Victor Lindelof literally stepped up.
Lindelof advanced into Bouremouth's half to intercept the ball and allow Christian Eriksen and Casemiro to collaborate for the only goal. Eriksen's sand-wedge loft was close enough to the pin for Casemiro to acrobatically volley in. Ten Hag celebrated the telepathy between two of his signings jubilantly, the happiest he was all day.
This was Lindelof's ninth successive start - a run he last enjoyed in April 2021 when he was a beneficiary of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Scandinavian solidarity. The Swede's form should secure his United career as Harry Maguire's approaches its possible end. The United captain has been on the bench in the last five games.
Maguire was not even afforded a late cameo as United's dogfighter amid an expected aerial bombardment. Ten Hag instead turned to Scott McTominay and Fred. Maguire, ever the professional, was dignified as he congratulated Ten Hag at full-time.
Casemiro operated near his optimum again, holding the fort whilst also embarking on a raid to win the game. Eriksen, too, was more like his old self they remain two of Ten Hag's most trusted lieutenants. "Lukey, well done," hollered Casemiro as United approached the final 10 minutes.
Bournemouth's five changes were additional confirmation they had secured their Premier League status though Ten Hag remained a demanding presence, his voice hoarse from barking orders. Bruno Fernandes was collared during a stoppage and he needed a sterner talking to amid his looseness.
David de Gea's first kick was flat and straight to an opponent but he was more dependable with his palms when he shovelled away a drive from Dominic Solanke. More pivotal was the denial of Kieffer Moore in a one-on-one in the 85th minute.
Against certain strikers, De Gea's aura still radiates. Moore looked the 30-year-old journeyman with four club goals all season that he is when De Gea stared him down.
Jacob Ramsey's goal at Anfield confirmed De Gea has reclaimed the Golden Glove. That accolade belongs as much to the United defence as their 'keeper.
Luke Shaw, who overcame a fitness issue in the warm-up to retain his starting place, was consistent again and it is not a coincidence United's back four is more secure with Raphael Varane at its centre.
Shaw's early withdrawal from the warm-up was cause for Ten Hag to make a beeline for Tyrell Malacia with less than 20 minutes until kick-off. Yesteryear, Shaw would not have continued but he has adopted the requisite mentality.
Back in their alternative green kit for the fourth fixture all season and the first time since November 3, United scored inside the first 10 minutes in only the second away game all season. Just like at Tottenham, they let the hosts off the hook but did not let their lead slip.
Ten Hag reacted to the lethargy swiftly but dubiously, hooking Anthony Martial - the most vibrant of the flaky front four - for Wout Weghorst in the 57th minute. Martial ambled towards the away dugout, high fived some substitutes and staff members before heading down the tunnel. There was no exchange with his manager.
Weghorst was almost immediately flagged offside in an aerial duel he lost yet United were more proactive with the Dutchman a worthy focal point. Antony was too casual and the United away-dayers had to urge Jadon Sancho to accelerate with the ball. Sancho was inevitably replaced by Alejandro Garnacho, who was more direct in his immediate contribution that earned a corner.
David Brooks was denied by De Gea less than two minutes into the restart and the staunchest United fan would not have begrudged Brooks some glory on this, his first start in 598 days. Brooks's recovery from cancer to resume his career is a victory in itself. He was applauded off.
As Ten Hag was.
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