‘It’s so easy!’: Jamie Redknapp sounds alarm bells over Man United’s poor first-half defensive performance at Bournemouth… and blasts one player for his ‘lethargic performance’

Jamie Redknapp has sounded alarm bells over Manchester United’s dismal first-half defending against Bournemouth, highlighting how ‘easy’ it was for the Cherries to break through gaps in the Red Devils’ backline. 

United’s defence looked in disarray in the first 45 minutes, with Willy Kambwala and Diogo Dalot leaving large gaps in their backline that Bournmouth willingly exploited. 

Dominic Solanke was one beneficiary of the Red Devils’ lapse in concentration, turning Kambwala inside out before thumping a long-range shot that slid past Andre Onana into the bottom-left corner. 

Bruno Fernandes hit back from close range to level the scores, but Bournemouth continued to look sharp in attack. Marcos Senesi drove forward and found Justin Kluivert in acres of space between Dalot and Kambwala on the left side of the penalty box, before thumping his shot inside the near post to put the hosts 2-1 up. 

In his analysis of the goal, Redknapp believed that Bournemouth were targeting United’s weaknesses down the left side of the pitch. 

‘It’s so easy and why wouldn’t you!’ the former Liverpool player told Sky Sports. 

‘Kambwala gets caught and he’s pointing and trying to organize things. If you’re not sure you’ve got to go mark him. 

‘The ball gets played to Kluivert, cuts inside and hits a similar shot to solanke, ferocious into that near post and it’s so hard to stop and he’s been so dangerous, but somebody just has to go out there and pick him up.’ 

Despite their defensive frailties, United were given a lifeline after Fernandes equalised once again, this time from the penalty spot.  

In a bid to change things up, Erik ten Hag hooked Alejandro Garnacho off at half-time and Redknapp gave a critical assessment of the Argentine’s performance.

‘Garnacho’s been poor in that first half, he kept giving the ball away. He looked lethargic and poor,’ he added.

‘I understand that one. But the biggest problem is the amount of time they get the ball turned over, getting pressed in their first half and Bournemouth are just running at their back four at will and getting shots away. 

‘That must be the biggest worry for Ten Hag. If you’re going to keep letting teams have shots at goal you’re going to continue to concede goals.’

More to follow…