Manchester United secured a fifth-place finish in the 2015-16 Premier League season on Tuesday night, beating AFC Bournemouth 3-1 at Old Trafford. A first half of dreary football was eventually pierced by a Wayne Rooney goal a couple of minutes before the interval. The hosts improved in the second period, with the scintillating Marcus Rashford doubling their advantage and substitute Ashley Young getting on the scoresheet. An own goal from Chris Smalling in injury time gave the visitors something to cheer.Three points puts the Red Devils above Southampton, who drop to sixth, although still behind local rivals Manchester City on goal difference.The game was rescheduled after the initial clash, set for Sunday, was abandoned after a suspicious device was discovered in the toilets at the stadium, per BBC Sport.It meant there was a peculiar atmosphere at Old Trafford. A lot of supporters opted against turning up altogether, with United unable to secure a Champions League spot unless they won the game by a whopping 19-goal margin.James Ducker of the Times took a guess at how many spectators had made the trip, including a clutch of Bournemouth supporters who had travelled up from the south coast:Those who were in for the match would have been lamenting their decision in the first half of this one, though. Thats because, despite the fact manager Louis van Gaal decided to field a strong team, United played without tempo, purpose or any kind of inventiveness against the Cherries in the opening period.They are criticisms fans have levied at the Dutch manager for much of the campaign and the reason why a lot of supporters want him out of a job after Saturdays FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. As noted by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News as the first half lumbered by, Van Gaal had failed to deliver on a pre-match promise:Eventually, there was something for the home supporters to enjoy, as Rooney was on hand to rescue a stadium slipping into a malaise.It was a goal at odds with the predictable play United had showcased to this point too. Anthony Martials pass was brilliantly dummied by Rashford, allowing the Red Devils captain to side-foot home with conviction. As Squawka Football noted, for Rooney it was a landmark goal at this illustrious venue:The goal spared the players and manager any ire at the interval, while Bournemouth were showing little in their own attacking forays.United were a lot more lively after the break. Juan Mata was scythed down in the penalty area by Steve Cook, although remarkably, the match official decided not to award a spot-kick. Then Michael Carrick struck a venomous shot from 30 yards that crashed off the crossbar.Before the hour mark, Mata had a shot blocked, Jesse Lingard went close and then Antonio Valencia also had the misfortune of seeing a rasping drive strike the woodwork. United had woken up, and journalist Liam Canning was enjoying it:The pressure was growing on manager Eddie Howe's men, who, usually so comfortable on the ball, were struggling to keep possession and territory. With 15 minutes left, they eventually caved in for the second time, with the superb Rashford getting the goal his display richly deserved.Rooney picked out a raid from Valencia, and when he nodded down to the teenager, the outcome was inevitable. After being called up to the England squad this week, this goal capped off a tremendous few days for Rashford.ESPN's Alex Shaw was encouraged with what was another mature outing from the 18-year-old, who was substituted to a standing ovation just minutes later:Van Gaal also withdrew Martial, as the manager's mind clearly turned to the FA Cup final, with Young coming on to replace the 20-year-old. And in the dying embers there was time for the winger to stake his case for some kind of role at Wembley, capitalising on more creativity from Rooney to sweep home from close range with just three minutes remaining.Perhaps somewhat fittingly after their fine season, there was still time for Bournemouth to grab a consolation, with Max Gradel's shot deflected off Smalling and past goalkeeper David De Gea in the final minute of time added on. Of course, it was too little, too late for the visitors, with the referee almost immediately calling time on the contest.The starting XI named by Van Gaal may well have been the best available to him at this juncture, although it was evident in certain passages of play these footballers had their minds on walking out under the Wembley arch. Win there and theres at least something the Red Devils can salvage from what has been a forgettable term.United supporters making the journey south will be hoping to see the spark on show by the Red Devils in the second period against Crystal Palace on Saturday. A piece of silverware will not be the antidote for passive periods of play they were subject to in the first period, though, and that'll be a lingering concern over the summer months.Post-Match ReactionAs is customary for the United manager, Van Gaal addressed the supporters on the field at the end of the final home game."On behalf of my players, staff and myself, thank you for your unconditional support," he said, per BBC Sport."Wherever we have played, however things have gone on the field, you never let us down.We hope to bring the FA Cup home to you."Speaking to the press afterwards, he suggested the fans are expecting too much from the team, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News:Howe confirmed West Ham United had bid for Matt Ritchie and Callum Wilson on Monday and wasn't particularly pleased with the manner in which the offer was lodged."We had a bid yesterday evening," he revealed, per BBC Sport. "Why it come in the day before our season has finished, I don't know. It was from West Ham but the bid was rejected and we have no intention to sell. We want to try toimprove our squad, not weaken it."Read more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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