Man Utd one draw away from Champions League spot

Casemiro's overhead kick helped Man Utd beat host Bournemouth 1-0 in round 37 of the Premier League, solidifying their position in the Top 4.

The only goal of the game came in the ninth minute, after a poor clearance by a Bournemouth defender allowed Casemiro to volley close to the goal, leaving the goalkeeper no chance to block. United then squandered the opportunity and would have paid the price at the end of the match if it had not been for the talent of goalkeeper David de Gea. The victory moved United just one point away from a Champions League spot, with two games remaining against Chelsea and Fulham, both at Old Trafford.

Casemiro's overhead kick opened the scoring at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, Dorset, in round 37 of the Premier League on May 20, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Casemiro celebrates the important goal that helped Man Utd reach the Champions League spot. Photo: AFP

Things could have been more difficult for Man Utd if the home strikers had been sharper. In the 27th minute, striker Dominic Solanke broke through to face De Gea but shot straight at the goalkeeper. In the 79th minute, striker Kieffer Moore received a similar opportunity but his shot still hit De Gea's leg and bounced off. The Spanish goalkeeper made two other saves for the visitors.

This was De Gea's 17th clean sheet in the Premier League this season, helping him win the Golden Glove award. The Spanish goalkeeper is likely to renew his contract with Man Utd, but will have to take a pay cut and accept the possibility of being on the bench.

Man Utd's attack without Marcus Rashford was disappointing again as the attacking players failed to score. The visitors had 20 shots in this match, twice as many as their opponents, but the two teams did not have much difference in dangerous chances. Man Utd's notable situation came in the 77th minute when Bruno Fernandes volleyed from a distance of more than 10 meters but goalkeeper Neto flew to impressively block the ball.

Man Utd also almost conceded a goal in the last minute when defender Marcos Senesi volleyed just over the bar. Only when the final whistle blew did the away team cheer.

The only blemish on the game for Man Utd was when striker Anthony Martial walked into the tunnel after being substituted. However, in the post-match press conference, coach Ten Hag explained that the Frenchman returned to the bench afterwards.

Man Utd won their second consecutive match, keeping a clean sheet. More importantly, they created a three-point gap with the team behind, with two games left, while Liverpool only had one game left. If they did not lose to Chelsea on the evening of May 25, the "Red Devils" would have secured a Champions League spot one round early.

Competition list

Bournemouth : Neto; Smith (Vina 66), Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Cook, Lerma; Brooks (Moore 56), Christie (Ouattara 66), Anthony; Solanke

Man Utd : De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen (Fred 86), Fernandes; Antony (McTominay 86), Sancho (Garnacho 72), Martial (Weghorst 57)

Xuan Binh

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/man-utd-cach-suat-champions-league-mot-tran-hoa-4607725.html