CHERRIES tasted opening-day defeat for the second season in succession as Manchester United recorded a rather flattering 3-1 win at Vitality Stadium today.

Fortuitous goals from Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney gave the visitors a head-start before Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s stunning 20-yarder made it 3-0 after 64 minutes.

Adam Smith pulled one back for Cherries with 21 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish but Eddie Howe’s team were unable to fashion too many clear-cut chances.

However, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Howe as Cherries stuck to what was always expected to be a difficult task against Jose Mourinho’s new-look United.

Mata’s goal five minutes before half-time handed United the interval lead, the Spaniard profiting from a fortunate ricochet and rolling the ball into an empty net after Artur Boruc had saved his initial effort.

Simon Francis should have dealt better with a hopeful long ball over the top from Ander Herrera, his back-pass selling Boruc short in the lead-up.

It was a dagger through the heart for Cherries who grew into the first half following an early spell of pressure from the visitors.

Record signing Jordon Ibe and fellow new recruit Lewis Cook were both handed their debuts in Howe’s first starting line-up.

Although United had the majority of the possession early on, the first opening fell to Cherries after a Charlie Daniels cross had been delivered into the danger area.

But Callum Wilson was crowded out by Luke Shaw and his half chance came to nothing with the ball rolling harmlessly out for a goal-kick.

Francis required some medical attention after a clash of heads with Ibrahimovic as the pair challenged for an Antonio Valencia cross.

Joshua King’s effort deflected off a defender and went for a throw before Anthony Martial fired well wide after racing into the 18-yard box.

A sweeping move by United midway through the first half ended with Rooney’s low drive being snaffled low down by Cherries goalkeeper Boruc.

Francis’s superb tackle stopped Martial in his tracks before Wilson just failed to make contact with a teasing cross from Ibe.

Disaster struck for Cherries when United drew first blood five minutes before the interval.

Herrera’s hopeful long ball into the box was met by Francis whose intended back-pass to Boruc was intercepted by Mata.

The Polish stopper raced off his line to save at the feet of the Spaniard but the loose ball hit Francis and rolled invitingly into the path of Mata who could not fail to score.

Cherries had a let-off early in the second half after Ibrahimovic’s flick had set Rooney free down the centre.

But although Boruc had initially been hesitant in coming off his line, the goalkeeper saved after sticking out his left leg.

Rooney appealed in vain for a penalty after going to ground under a challenge before King’s effort was blocked at the other end.

United doubled their lead after 59 minutes and again there was an element of good fortune about the goal.

Valencia found space down the right flank after Mata’s clever pass had set him free, although his resultant cross was met and sliced by Martial.

But the ball bounced kindly into the six-yard box where Rooney was on hand to cushion a header past Boruc.

Boruc dived full-length to his right to parry Ibrahimovic’s venomous free-kick as United went in search of a quick third.

Ibrahimovic profited after the Cherries defence had retreated, the Swedish international finding the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards after 64 minutes to make it 3-0.

Boss Howe responded by throwing on fresh legs in the shape of strikers Lewis Grabban and Benik Afobe in place of Wilson and Ibe.

The switch paid instant dividends as Grabban’s incisive pass spilt the United defence and found Smith who drilled home an unstoppable left-foot shot to reduce the arrears after 69 minutes.

And in stoppage-time, Andrew Surman’s shot through a crowd of players was saved by David De Gea before Afobe was denied a penalty having been upended by the United goalkeeper.

Cherries: Boruc, A Smith, Francis, S Cook, Daniels, King, Arter, Surman, L Cook (Gradel, 81), Ibe (Afobe, 67), Wilson (Grabban, 67).

Unused subs: Gosling, Ake, B Smith, Federici (g/k).

United: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Blind, Shaw, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata (Mkhitaryan, 75), Rooney (Memphis, 89), Martial (Schneiderlin, 84), Ibrahimovic.

Unused subs: Rojo, Carrick, Rashford, Romero (g/k).

Booked: Herrera.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).

Attendance: 11,355 (including 1,382 away supporters).