Any progress over the past few games has been brutally dismantled...

SEVERAL United supporters headed for the exit in the 64th minute after the ball zipped past Andre Onana for a third time. They had seen this before - just over a year ago.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

United's decline and drift have gone on for so long it is not a shock for Bournemouth to be 3-0 up at Old Trafford. They won by that scoreline last December.

They were three goals to the good 14 minutes quicker this time.

Bournemouth's fans began chanting, 'You're f*****g s**t' and nobody of a United persuasion protested that.

Ruben Amorim's nadir has come swiftly, a mere five weeks on from his first match in charge. The boos at fulltime drowned out the supportive cry of 'Amorim's red and white army' from the Stretford End.

Soon it was, 'You're going down with the Scummers' a reference to doomed basement side Southampton. Then, 'You're going down with the City.

United are heading towards the relegation zone with relegation form: three defeats in their past four Premier League matches and seven overall for the campaign.

This is the first time United have spent Christmas Day in the bottom half of the table since 1989. They are still marooned in 13th place and it does not do them a disservice. Bournemouth and Brighton, two victors against United this term, are not just clubs in United's slipstream but model clubs they should aspire to emulate.

Andoni Iraola has been one of the most inspired appointments by a Premier League club in recent memory and Bournemouth are serious contenders for the European places.

Amorim is not blameless in United's descent to potential relegation fodder.

There were six more changes and the inclusion of Tyrell Malacia on the left wing was so charitable it was tantamount to a Soccer Aid selection.

The United head coach must stop playing full-backs as wingers.