Manchester United returned to winning ways to keep up the pressure on rivals City, courtesy of a morale-boosting winner from Romelu Lukaku.

Josh King forced a stunning block from Phil Jones and David de Gea palmed away a fizzing Charlie Daniels drive as Bournemouth provided a stern early test.

However, a chipped Juan Mata cross found Lukaku, who rose above the Cherries defence to head into the top corner on 25 minutes for his ninth league goal of the season.

Anthony Martial blazed over from close range, before his replacement Marcus Rashford clattered the crossbar from 25 yards as Jose Mourinho’s men searched for a second.

The hosts hung on for three vital points and edge clear of Chelsea in second place, 11 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten leaders.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Bournemouth (
Image:
Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho greets Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe at Old Trafford (
Image:
Matthew Peters)

5 talking points from Old Trafford

Here is what the fans will be talking about on the terraces as Romelu Lukaku’s goal condemned Bournemouth to their fifth game without a win, pushing United clear in second place in the Premier League. 5 talking points.

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Image:
Getty Images Europe)

"Pouring, pouring Man United"

Check out the weather conditions at Old Trafford tonight in this pic!

Bold from Bournemouth

Well that is a statement from the Bournemouth social media team.

They certainly gave United a scare in the second half and forced De Gea into a couple of cracking saves.

However, Martial missed a sitter.

Perhaps a draw would have been a fairer result

United stand alone in second place

Rivals City keep racing ahead, but United get back to winning ways courtesy of a morale-boosting strike for the much-maligned Lukaku

Great block to deny Lukaku in stoppage time

Lukaku continues to press forward, but can't quite add to his first-half header (
Image:
Gareth Copley)

Have we got some late drama?

Another champagne performance from this man

A point blank save denies Defoe from an acute angle. De Gea is a wall!

David De Gea celebrates his sides first goal (
Image:
Getty Images)

About 10 minutes to go - can the Cherries steal a point?

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe on the touchline (
Image:
PA)

What a piledriver!

Rashford, on for Martial, unleashes a blistering strike from 25 yards out on the left.

It pings off the bar and bounces down.

Bournemouth hanging on here...

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Image:
Tom Purslow)

HOW did he miss?

Anthony Martial has been outstanding recently, but he has had a shocker there!

A Lukaku shot is blocked and the ball breaks for the French youngster.

Instead of wacking it in from 6 yards, he slices the ball over the bar! Oh dear!

Anthony Martial battles for possession up against the Bournemouth backline (
Image:
Catherine Ivill)

Finely poised at Old Trafford

Plenty of promising moves for both sides, but a lack of penetration means we haven’t got any clear cut chances to chat about!

Wonder when Bournemouth might introduce this man...

Will United push on or will Bournemouth bite back?

Jesse Lingard in action with Harry Arter (
Image:
Man Utd via Getty Images)

Lukaku likes Cherry picking

PEEP!

A Lukaku leap

Here's the moment Lukaku rises above the Cherries defence to score the opener (
Image:
John Peters)

He doesn't look too happy, but it was a smart finish

Romelu Lukaku reacts having scored the opener against Bournemouth (
Image:
Gareth Copley)

Lineker's not impressed...

Cherries causing concern

The away side are certainly gaining some confidence.

A simple knockdown from a long ball plays in Josh King one-on-one with Phil Jones.

Fortunately for the home fans the England international blocks a low shot from the left.

How about these early acrobatics?

There might not be many chances to chat about yet, but this is a pretty decent effort from Lingard.

Jesse Lingard attempts an audacious overhead kick up against the Cherries (
Image:
John Peters)

Fairly comfortable for the hosts so far...

Junior Stanislas looks to edge past Luke Shaw (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

They'll have to brave the Winter elements

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Image:
Catherine Ivill)

Bournemouth have to get past this man tonight!

David De Gea is primed for action after the warm-up (
Image:
Gareth Copley)

The Red Devils are ready

Home pedigree

Can Manchester United bounce back from derby defeat against the Cherries?

The Red Devils surrendered their 40-match unbeaten home run last weekend, but will be looking for an immediate response tonight.

United haven’t lost consecutive Old Trafford matches since January 2014, whilst Mourinho has NEVER lost consecutive home league matches as a manager.

Calm before the storm at Old Trafford (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Eddie hopes he knows HOWE his team can win tonight...

Quadruple change for United

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Shaw, McTominay, Matic, Martial, Lingard, Mata, Lukaku.

So it’s four changes from Jose following the Manchester derby defeat.

Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford drop out. In their place Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Scott McTominay and Juan Mata start at Old Trafford.

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Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

How the Cherries line-up

Jose is ready