Man United bounce back as Pogba proves he's more than haircut

Man United players celebrate. [Photo: Courtesy]

Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku both netted against Bournemouth to boost Manchester United's hopes of finishing secoond.

Smalling tapped in after a fine move involving Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard to tap in his second goal in three games.

Callum Wilson thought he should have been given a penalty when we was hauled down by Luke Shaw.

But Romelu Lukaku made the points safe when he stylishly clipped over Asmir Begovic, after latching onto a perfect through ball from Paul Pogba.

Here are talking points...

Jose Mourinho framed this contest as a challenge for his fringe players to earn a spot in his team for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Spurs this weekend.

It looked more like a Shop Window XI with several players - including Darmian, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini - who look to be on their way this summer.

In total there were seven changes from the side beaten at home by West Brom last Sunday.

He has been ludicrously maligned for his many hairstyles (as if a twenty-something man has no right to embrace fashion).

But more legitimately under scrutiny for his inability to reproduce his Juventus form on a regular basis.

After all the suggestions this week that he is fighting for a place in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Spurs he needed a big performance here today.

It was from his rampaging second half run and pass that Romelu Lukaku put the game beyond Bournemouth. Early on Pogba frustrated with the odd loose pass but as United took control he grew into the game.

The move which saw him send three players the wrong way before releasing Rashford into the box deserved a goal in itself.

He’ll be happy enough with this display.