Man Utd accused of ‘throwing in the towel’ as coach makes alarming admission after 3-0 loss

Manchester United’s shambolic season took another turn for the worse in a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Bournemouth’s fine form continued as the Cherries secured their first ever victory at Old Trafford in style on a day United’s season hit a new low.

Erik ten Hag’s men had risen to sixth thanks to six wins in eight Premier League games.

But a dreadful display put the Dutchman’s position back under the spotlight ahead of a likely exit from the Champions League at the group stage in midweek.

Dominic Solanke put Bournemouth in front after just five minutes when he turned home Lewis Cook’s cross.

Solanke hit the post and Antoine Semenyo came close as Bournemouth continued to have the better of the chances.

But they had to wait until 68 minutes to double their lead when Philip Billing rose to head home Marcus Tavernier’s cross.

Marcos Senesi then set the seal on a famous victory as Andoni Iraola’s men moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a fourth win in five games.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Erik ten Hag blasted his “inconsistent” Manchester United charges after the loss, which came just three days after beating Chelsea to revive their bid for a top four finish in the Premier League.

With the pressure mounting on Ten Hag with each defeat in his troubled second season as United boss, the Dutchman slammed his team’s lacklustre performance.

“Of course, annoyed and disappointed, definitely. I expected something different,” Ten Hag said.

“I hoped before the game you can build on the performance and result from Chelsea, so then it’s very disappointing.

“That (consistency) is of course the question, but I think we have to always be ready for the game, so I have to take the responsibility for that.

“I have to prepare my team so that they are ready for the game, so from my point of view I’m very disappointed the way we started so I have to do the things better.”

United have now lost 35 home league games since Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012-13 title-winning season.

During the iconic 26-year reign of the Scottish manager, United were only beaten in the league at Old Trafford 34 times Ten Hag shouldered much of the responsibility for United’s 11th defeat in all competitions this term.

But alarmingly for United fans, the former Ajax boss conceded he did not believe his squad were consistent enough to thrive at the highest level.

“We are really inconsistent. We have the abilities to do it, but you have to do it every game and every third day,” he said.

“I think as a squad we are not good enough to be consistent and we have to work as a squad to improve that.”

It was an eye-catching remark at the end of a week that began with reports that some United players had grown unhappy with the manager.

Ten Hag denied those claims but, with his team mired in sixth place, he desperately needs some positive results quickly.

United host Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week knowing they must win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.

Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

A trip to in-form Liverpool in the Premier League follows the Bayern clash. “As a group, we have to improve,” Ten Hag said.

“That’s a fact. We have to get tougher, that we are ready for the game and from the start.

“I said on Friday, it can’t be in this league that you are not playing on the highest levels because you get killed.

“That’s what happened in the five minutes and then you are following facts and especially against them, such a good transition team, you make life easy for them. They have the perfect conditions to play in.

“Then you see the team fighting, battling, put a lot of effort in for a long period to return in the game, but it can’t happen that you so easily concede a goal.”

Tim Sherwood, who described the loss as “disastrous” for Manchester United, said he can’t see the Red Devils finishing inside the top four this season without significant improvement.

“I think the performances have been as bad as this, but they’ve got away with it,” Sherwood said on Soccer Saturday.

“They improved against Chelsea because they didn’t have to take the game to the opposition. They could play counter-attack football.

“There’s nothing wrong with being a counter-attacking side but when a team wants to sit back, you have to find a way of opening them up. They are devoid of anyone with any imagination or creativity apart from Bruno.

“But if you have Bruno in your team, he is not going to work back. Amrabat is left on his own in there and hasn’t got the legs.

“Credit to Bournemouth. They had a game plan and pounced on it and were clinical in their finishing. But very rarely was I off my chair thinking Manchester United must score here. Bournemouth were quite comfortable.

“We’re talking about a team in 16th going away from home to Old Trafford. I’m within my rights to think Manchester United, with world-class players and the money they’ve spent, should be able to break them down and score.

“But they got worse. In the second half, they came out and it looked like they had thrown the towel in, which is unfortunate for their fans watching on.”