Eddie Howe: 'Error in conceding first goal changed game against Man United'

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has claimed that Manchester United's opening goal against them altered the feel of the game.

The Cherries went on to concede more as they recorded a 3-1 defeat to Jose Mourinho's side at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Juan Mata opened the scoring, but he was helped along by Simon Francis after the defender under-hit a back-pass to his goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

The Spanish midfielder took a shot, which was initially saved by Boruc, but the ball bounced off Francis and back into Mata's path and the 28-year-old made no mistake in his second attempt.

"The game was on a knife-edge until the first goal," Howe told reporters. "The way the goal's come about was a hard one to take, because it looked as though we'd got away with the mistake, and then for the unlucky ricochet we concede.

"And that moment's tough, when you give a team like Manchester United the lead."

Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also scored for United, while Adam Smith netted a consolation goal for the Cherries.