UCL: Manchester United close in berth for next season

Brazil midfielder Casemiro scored a volley to give Manchester United a 1-0 Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday that took them closer to Champions League football next season.

United moved on to 69 points in fourth place in the table, behind Newcastle United on goal difference and needing one point from home games against Chelsea and Fulham next week to seal a return to European club soccer's most prestigious competition.

Rivals Liverpool, sit on fifth on the log with 66 points after a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, face relegated Southampton on the final day.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead in the ninth minute when Cherries defender Marcos Senesi tried to hook away a Christian Eriksen pass behind the defence, but only succeeded in teeing up Casemiro for a brilliant spinning volley.

The home side found their feet midway through the first half as Dominic Solanke controlled a long ball into the box and unleashed a shot that David De Gea had to dive to his left to save.

Winger Antony wasted a number of decent chances, while substitute Wout Weghorst and midfielder Bruno Fernandes both forced fine saves from Neto and it looked like it was only a matter of time before United scored again.

They were almost made to pay for their wayward finishing when substitute Kieffer Moore bore down on De Gea late on, but the keeper blocked his shot and the danger was averted.

There was still time for one more chance for the home side, with Senesi firing just over the bar, but United held on for a win that prompted wild celebrations from the travelling supporters.

Speaking after the game, the Red Devils manager Erik Ten Hag said: "The only criticism is we didn't kill off the game, we had to produce that second goal but that's the way this team are. It is not easy scoring goals.”