AFC Bournemouth came close to recording a first league double over Manchester United but were left frustrated despite twice taking the lead.

We’ll sidestep the furore over two penalty decisions that went against Cherries which could take up an entire article each and focus on the other talking points stemming from the game.

From Dominic Solanke setting a new club record to Cherries once again impressing against Manchester United, here are the major talking points.


More stop-gaps to deal with injuries

We’ve had wingers at left-back this campaign, but it was time for a further role reversal in the opposite direction against Manchester United.

With Luis Sinisterra pulling up after aggravating his hamstring injury, Iraola decided to push Milos Kerkez higher up and play as a winger.

The Hungarian left-back started over Lloyd Kelly, who had become first choice since returning from injury.

As his performance in the return fixture at Old Trafford demonstrated, Kerkez flourishes when going forward.

That made moving the youngster further up quite straight forward, but it is quite telling that despite being signed as an out-and-out wide player, Justin Kluivert is too valuable to move away from the number 10 spot.

Sinisterra injury highlights Cherries' risk-taking

Bournemouth Echo: Regrets over starting Sinisterra would only be natural for Iraola, who admitted that he had made the wrong choice after the match.

However, the Basque boss explained his decision by stating how impressed he was with the Colombian in training.

The head coach had previously said how Cherries were approaching a point of the season where they would have to start rushing players back from injury and taking risks.

This further exemplified Iraola’s competitive attitude that has not been watered down by mathematically securing Premier League survival.

Bournemouth maybe safe and qualifying for Europe may seem a long shot, but it appears that Iraola will be doing all he can to add as many points as possible to Cherries’ final tally.

United have merely adopted chaos, Cherries were born in it

Manchester United are painted by the national media as being a club in seemingly perpetual chaos, and that might be a fitting reason why Cherries have impressed twice against the Red Devils this campaign.

Iraola arrived on the south coast with his brand of football described as “organised chaos” and on two occasions Cherries have now tamed Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag’s side rely heavily on the transition, capitalising upon mistakes at the back and trying to keep the play in their opponents’ half.

Those are similar broad strokes to Iraola’s style of play – with the exception that Cherries know what to do when they win the ball high, and are usually much more successful than Manchester United at doing so.

Manchester United go into games hoping they will descend into enough chaos for them to capitalise; Cherries head into fixtures knowing they will make matches as chaotic as possible.

The Red Devils had to be handed an opportunity to score in the second half, such was their struggle to produce chances against Cherries.

Record-breaking Solanke

Dominic Solanke set a new club record for goals in a single Premier League season with his 17th strike of the campaign against Manchester United.

It meant he overhauled Joshua King’s 16-goal haul in the 2016/17 season, having played four games fewer.

Although it is not an exact science, Cherries should take heart from the fact that King’s record came amidst their highest-ever Premier League finish, with that points tally of 46 well in their sights this season.