Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Bournemouth's Adam Smith in action with Manchester United's Nemanja Matic Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A lacklustre Manchester United responded to their derby defeat by Manchester City with an unimpressive 1-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth at a subdued Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Romelu Lukaku's ninth league goal of the season, a 25th- minute header at the back post from a Juan Mata cross, was enough to give second-placed United the win but they had keeper David De Gea to thank for the three points.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku in action with Bournemouth's Asmir Begovic REUTERS/Darren Staples
The Spanish keeper kept out efforts from Charlie Williams, Dan Gosling and Ryan Fraser and blocked a fierce strike from substitute Jermain Defoe eight minutes from time as Bournemouth pressed for an equaliser that would not have been undeserved.
The nearest United came to killing the game off was a thundering long-range effort from Marcus Rashford in the 72nd minute which crashed against the bar.
Although United, with 21-year-old Scott McTominay in midfield, rarely found much fluency on a rainy and cold night their manager was happy with the win.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Bournemouth's Joshua King and Adam Smith after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
"I am pleased with the three points, it was difficult match. They had one more day’s rest than us, they were fresher than us, and mentally fresher because a big match takes more from our players," Mourinho said.
The United boss denied his team had a hangover from the derby loss to City on Sunday but said it had clearly taken a toll on his players.
"Fatigue, yes, but hangover - no. The game was a big one, and a defeat does not help in your recovery - victories help, defeats don’t. They were difficult opponents and difficult conditions. If we had scored the second it would have been a calm night for us," he said.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC BournemouthTrafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford in action with Bournemouth's Adam Smith Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
United remained 11 points behind leaders Manchester City who won 4-0 at Swansea City and Mourinho said his team would continue to try and catch up.
"I said we play match after match and the next we have to try to win, we have a difficult one at West Brom and we try match after match. It is only over in May, if it is over now I go on holiday to Brazil or Los Angeles," he said.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe felt his side deserved more from the game.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Manchester United's Jesse Lingard in action with Bournemouth's Dan Gosling Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
"I’m very disappointed, I thought we were excellent. We created opportunities, our defensive shape was very good and we deserved a lot more today," he said.
(Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Ed Osmond)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Manchester United's Phil Jones in action with Bournemouth's Benik Afobe Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Bournemouth's Asmir Begovic attempts to make a save as Manchester United's Marcus Rashford (not pictured) hits the post REUTERS/Darren Staples Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Manchester United's Marcus Rashford comes on as a substitute to replace Anthony Martial REUTERS/Darren Staples Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser in action with Manchester United's Ander Herrera Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Bournemouth's Nathan Ake in action with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs AFC Bournemouth- Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 13, 2017 Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
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