MANCHESTER UNITED were given the perfect opportunity to strengthen their position in the top four after rivals Liverpool and Tottenham dropped points.
And it was a chance they did not waste as Luke Shaw put in a masterclass to help United to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
Casemiro opened the scoring after guiding Christian Eriksen's superb free-kick into the net.
United combined well with each other and controlled the flow of the game before Donny van de Beek was forced off injured.
A superb Shaw run then saw the Red Devils double the lead in the second half, before the defender then chipped a lovely pass into Bruno Fernandes for him to assist Marcus Rashford.
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A good display for United with another important three points to move five ahead of Tottenham.
Here's how SunSport rated the Red Devils display.
David De Gea - 7
A strong display from the Spaniard which helped earn another clean sheet.
Produced two wonderful saves to deny Jaidon Anthony in the second half and looked generally calm and assured on the ball.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7
Another strong display from the Englishman, who seems to have turned a new leaf since the World Cup.
Solid both on the ball and off the ball before being replaced by Diogo Dalot.
Harry Maguire - 7
First start since the World Cup, and appeared to bring some of that form with him in this game.
Used his physicality well to clear danger in his new right centre back role, but distribution was found lacking at times.
Victor Lindelof - 6
Partnered well with Maguire throughout but was the quieter of the two defenders.
Hooked for Lisandro Martinez late on.
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Luke Shaw - 9
Superb display back at left-back with a goal and a superb pre-assist to boot.
Defensively sound throughout as well.
Casemiro - 8
United's spine looks so much stronger with the Brazilian in the middle.
Another strong defensive display by breaking up attacks and stepping in at the right times and added the opening goal.
Christian Eriksen - 7
Helped United control the midfield and whipped in a delicious cross for Casemiro's opener
Donny van de Beek - 7
Was solid throughout the clash and linked up well with his team-mates - constantly offering a passing option and exchanging good one-twos with the attack.
Forced off just before half-time with a horror injury.
Marcus Rashford - 7
A relatively quiet night for the in-form Englishman but still sniffed out of a goal.
Combined well with team-mates throughout the game but Bournemouth's defence largely kept him at bay until he netted late on.
Bruno Fernandes - 6
Moved out to the wing in favour of Van de Beek in the middle.
A typical performance from Fernandes where he created some great chances, including the assist for Rashford's goal but also saw a number of passes go astray.
Anthony Martial - 6
A better night for the Frenchman after his struggles at Wolves.
However, still didn't give United enough of an edge in the final third before he was hooked in the 69th minute.
SUBS
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Van de Beek, 45mins) 6
Came on for Van de Beek and added pace to the game in exchange for a loss of control up the field.
Chipped in with a clever cut-back assist for Shaw's goal.
Fred (on for Eriksen, 69 mins) 6
Added energy into the midfield but United lost control of the midfield as Bournemouth enjoyed a late period of dominance which United profited from on the counter.
Diogo Dalot (on for Wan-Bissaka, 69 mins) 6
Had one shot which challenge the Bournemouth goal and exchanged some nice passes with team-mates upon his return.
Anthony Elanga (on for Martial, 69 mins) 5
Gave United legs but offered little else.
Lisandro Martinez (on for Lindelof, 89 mins) N/A
Not enough time to give a fair rating.
