BOSS Eddie Howe was left sweating on the fitness of another key player after Nathan Ake was forced off at Manchester United.

The Dutch defender, whose first-half goal proved in vain during the 4-1 loss, had to be replaced eight minutes from time with what Howe believed to be a hamstring issue.

Cherries are already without Simon Francis, Lewis Cook, Dan Gosling and Adam Smith due to knee problems.

Asked for an update on Ake, the Cherries boss told the Daily Echo: “I don’t know, I need to speak to Nathan and the medical team but it looked like a hamstring concern.”

Paul Pogba’s double alongside goals from Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku meant Cherries suffered their eighth defeat in 10 league games.

“It was a tough day and a disappointing performance,” added Howe.

“Defensively, we weren’t great and we weren’t great with the ball which is a very bad mix when you come to Old Trafford.

“They played in the way we expected, we just didn’t deal with their threats well enough.

“We didn’t stop crosses well enough, didn’t defend the crosses well enough and they have players that can hurt you in every position.

“We allowed those players too much time. It’s certainly a game we will learn from.”