Manchester United 5-2 Bournemouth: Greenwood scores brace as unbeaten run continues
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side temporarily moved above Chelsea with a win that extended their unbeaten run to 16 games across all competitions.
They fell behind through Junior Stanislas' opener, but led at the break through first half efforts from Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Josh King reduced the deficit with a penalty after the game, yet Greenwood's stunning second strike was added to by Bruno Fernandes' free kick as United secured the win.
The cherries took a shock 16th minute lead when Stanislas' followed up his initial blocked effort and nutmegged Harry Maguire on the byline before beating David De Gea at his near post.
It was the first time United had conceeded in 500 minutes in all competitions, but they soon drew level when Greenwood blasted in a left footed drive having been spotted by Fernandes.
And six minutes later United were ahead as Adam Smith unnecessarily handled the ball following Martial's downward header, and Marcus Rashford found the bottom right hand corner from the resulting spot kick.
Martial scored his 20th goal of the season in emphatic fashion, cutting in off the left flank and finding the top corner with an excellent right footed strike.
Bournemouth were handed a route back into the game when United made a sloppy start to the second half.
De Gea had already saved from Lewis Cook and Amaut Danjuma hit the post after Maguire gave the ball away before Eric Bailly handled the ball while trying to control Nemanja Matic's pass.
King converted the penalty against his old club, only for Greenwood to again strike emphatically, and this time with his right foot.
Fernandes who already had two assists, then got in on the act as United scored five in a game at Old Trafford for the first time since 2011.
What does it mean?Five star United show resilience
This was not a vintage United display, certainly at the back,but they responded brilliantly on the two occasions Bournemouth scored when in the past they may have fallen apart after conceeding.
The cherries, who sit 19th climbed three places above United when they won the reverse fixture back in November and two teams have certainly been on opposite trajectories since.
Solksjaer says he wants another striker, but he will struggle to find one that can finish like the 18 year old.
He was clinical with his left foot, and then his right, and the teenager is already up to 8 Premier League goals this season.
De Gea does not save... again
Following several criticisms of United's number one still probably rings in De Gea's ear when he let Stanislas' effort beat him at his near post.
It did not cost United on the day but the Spaniard's growing collection of mistakes must be factors considered when the club decides what to do with Sheffield United loanee next season.
What's next?
United visiting another struggling side Aston Villa on Thursday while Bournemouth host Tottenham on the same day.
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