By HARRY BAMFORTH
Published: 05:24 EST, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 05:24 EST, 23 December 2024
Former Manchester United forward Michael Owen has taken a savage swipe at Noussair Mazraoui for giving away a penalty in the Red Devils humilitating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.
Ruben Amorim's side were humbled by the Cherries on their own turf just seven days on from their dramatic late comeback in the Manchester Derby.
Andoni Iraola's side dominated proceedings at Old Trafford and took the lead through young defender Dean Huijsen who headed home unmarked from a free-kick.
Mazraoui the made an error in judgement to hand Bournemouth the chance to double their lead when he mistimed a challenge on Justin Kluivert in the penalty area less than 15 minutes after half-time.
Kluivert duly slotted the penalty away before Antoine Semenyo added a third minutes later to secure a comfortable win for the visitors.
Following the damaging defeat, Owen did not mince his words in regard to United, who he deems are 'not a good team'.
Noussair Mazraoui struggled in Manchester United's 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth
The full-back gave away a second-half penalty which Justin Kluivert slotted away to give the Cherries a two-goal lead
Michael Owen has branded Mazraoui's challenge 'stupid' and called United 'Not a good team'
The ex-United and Liverpool striker was then asked for comment about the challenge made by Mazraoui which earned the Cherries a spot-kick, and once again he did not hold back.
'A little rash? A little stupid more like,' said Owen on Premier League Productions. 'What on earth are you doing? Two players are waiting for him, he's not going to score from there and he dives in.
'Just stay on your feet and usher him away. It's just a poor, poor decision. The sad thing about Manchester United these days is they go 1-0 down and you never really think they're going to come back.
'They're not a good team. Ruben Amorim needs to be watching that game and ensure these players that are not performing do not put on the shirt again. He needs to be that brutal and that ruthless.'
The defeat was United's fourth in their last six matches in all competitions and landed another blow to Amorim's early progress in Manchester.
The result kept United 13th in the Premier League table which means they will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1989.
Many fans voiced their discontent toward the players following the final whistle as boos from those who remained in their seats echoed around the stadium.
And the Portuguese coach has claimed he felt the nervous energy within the Theatre of Dreams from the very first minute.
The result means United will spend Christmas Day in the bottom half for the first time since 1989
Ruben Amorim's reign at United has started to stumble with four losses in his last six matches
'In this moment, everything is so hard,’ said Amorim. ‘For a club like Manchester United to lose 3-0 at home, it’s really tough for everybody.
‘The fans are really disappointed and tired. You can feel it in the stadium in the first play. I understand that, but we have to face it. I felt it since the first minute, there’s a lot of anxiety.
‘We want to score but we are too nervous. After that third goal, everyone is suffering in the stadium: the fans, the players, everybody.
‘Everybody in the club is tired of these moments. We have to face it and focus on the next game.’