Margaret Thatcher was still in power and Band Aid were topping the charts for the second time when Manchester United last occupied a place in the bottom half of the table at Christmas.
December 1989 was also the month that ‘Ta Ra Fergie’ banner appeared at Old Trafford as United fans began to run out of patience with the biggest club in English football.
Here, on a windy and rather wild afternoon, dissent was in the air again as frustration grew and boos rang around the old place at the end of another humbling and at times horrible experience for the home supporters.
Ruben Amorim warned there would be short-term pain to achieve long-term gain, and how right he has proved to be as Bournemouth piled on the hurt again.
If their 3-0 win here at Old Trafford a year ago came as something of shock, it’s a sign of the deep-seated malaise that Amorim has been brought in to cure at United that this kind of result should no longer be a surprise.
‘Man United, it’s happening again,’ sang the jubilant Bournemouth fans as United suffered a recurring nightmare before Christmas.
Ruben Amorim has suffered back-to-back home defeats as Man United lost to Bournemouth
Dean Huijsen (left) headed the Cherries in front and they never looked back as they won 3-0
Justin Kluivert (middle) scored a penalty before Antoine Semenyo (right) sealed the victory
It would be remiss not to give credit to Andoni Iraola’s side who were excellent and are now up to fifth place in the Premier League table. United, on the other hand, remain in 13th following the latest dent to their wounded pride.
Three days after going three down at Tottenham and rallying in a brave 4-3 Carabao Cup exit, United never looked like turning this one around as they suffered a fourth defeat in six games under their new head coach. Amorim’s prediction has become an awful reality.
The question now is just how much more pain will United have to endure? How low can they go?
On Boxing Day, they travel to Molineux to face a Wolves side apparently enjoying a new manager bounce under Amorim’s compatriot Vitor Pereira, and then finish off the year at home to a Newcastle side that have won their last three games, scoring 11 goals in the process.
On the evidence of United’s defending in recent games, they will be licking their lips at the prospect.
Amorim said that he thought United controlled more of the game at Spurs, but controlling anything in the windy conditions was a challenge in itself on Sunday.
It contributed to a messy game, but Bournemouth adapted much the better. They were everything Amorim wants United to be, pressing relentlessly, finishing clinically and defending resolutely.
It was no surprise that the visitors scored first in the 28th minute or that the goal came from a free kick as United struggled at set-pieces once again. They have led to Amorim’s side conceding no fewer than seven goals in the last six games.
Huijsen was so impressive on the day, backing up his goal with some huge defensive stops
Noussair Mazraoui gave away a silly penalty and Kluivert sent Andre Onana the wrong way
Tyrell Malacia was penalised for a touchline challenge on Adam Smith and Ryan Christie swung the ball over from the right. Dean Huijsen stole in ahead of Joshua Zirkzee and rose to glance a header beyond Andre Onana into the top corner.
‘We are so angry with this kind of situation,’ said Lisandro Martinez. ‘We have to work on set-pieces especially. If they don’t score their first goal from a set-piece, then it is a totally different game. We know what we have to do and we have to change quickly.’
United need to be better at converting their chances too. Bruno Fernandes had three opportunities in quick succession before half-time but dragged two shots wide and saw another saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Amorim sent on Leny Yoro, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, pulling Fernandes deeper to try and get a tune out of his team, but United found themselves two goals down just after the hour mark when Justin Kluivert won and converted a penalty.
Noussair Mazraoui was the culprit for United, foolishly lunging in as Kluivert skipped past him in the box.
It was a clear-cut decision and referee Craig Pawson didn’t hesitate to point to the spot.
Fernandes tried to get in Kluivert’s head by talking to Onana but this is a man who scored a hat-trick of penalties against Wolves a few weeks ago and wasn’t fazed in the slightest, sending Onana the wrong way with a cool finish.
United barely had time to clear their heads when they conceded a third two minutes later, and what a mess it was from their point of view. Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo both had passes intercepted, and Bournemouth seized on their opportunity.
Semenyo scored two minutes after Kluivert’s spot kick to stun United fans at Old Trafford
The result was no less than the Cherries deserved as they were the better team on Sunday
Evanilson had far too much time to slip a pass in behind for Dango Ouattara who showed presence of mind to pull the ball back for the excellent Antoine Semenyo and he took advantage of a non-existent challenge from Martinez to sweep home from close-range.
‘It feels great,’ said Semenyo. ‘Back-to-back wins at Old Trafford. My second time here and my second win. We were clinical on our end, and they were unlucky with their chances.’
Luck didn’t really come into it. United rallied but once again their finishing was off. Garnacho went clear on goal and fired straight at Arrizabalaga who then made a fine fingertip save to deny Hojlund, and Amad Diallo fired high and wide.
It was far too little and far too late. Thirty-five years on, the sight of Manchester United in the bottom half of the table at Christmas doesn’t look any better.
