Eddie Howe hails Harry Arter for 'dignified' Manchester United display

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Harry Arter for the way he performed against Manchester United, just days after the death of his daughter.

The 25-year-old, who played 86 minutes for the Cherries in their 2-1 win at the Goldsands Stadium, lost his child at birth earlier this week.

Howe took Arter off late on after the midfielder reacted angrily to being shown a yellow card, following an extremely tough week for the Republic of Ireland international off the field.

"It's been a hugely emotional week for him," Howe is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "I think he's handled himself with real dignity throughout the process, and to play the way he did today, with the emotions running through his body, I can't credit him enough for that.

"He showed real strength to keep his emotions in check, and I've got to say his team-mates rallied around him really well. There were some emotional scenes in the dressing room afterwards. I'm really proud of him, but the pain for them won't go away, so we'll have to look after Harry, and our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.

"Harry wanted to play, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to play. I had to make an assessment of him, but there was no doubt once I'd spoken to him that I was going to play him today."

Victory for Bournemouth, coming on the back of an equally impressive triumph away at Chelsea last weekend, moves them three points clear of the drop zone.