Lukaku has scored six goals for Everton against the Cherries – including four in a 6-3 win at Goodison Park last season – and was on the mark again as United got back on the winning trail after Sunday’s derby setback.

But it was not a champagne performance that would have sparked a party like Manchester City enjoyed and which so irked Jose Mourinho.

Lukaku barely celebrated the goal that earned United an important win but the news that Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering leaders had won easily again at Swansea meant all it did was ensure the title gap did not get even wider.

Lukaku had two unintentional ‘assists’ for both City’s goals but at least he did the right thing in the right penalty box against Bournemouth.

He climbed above Nathan Ake after 25 minutes to power home Juan Mata’s cross. It was his 14th goal of the season – but only his third in his last 15 appearances.

And how United needed it against a Cherries team who gave as good as they got.

David De Gea – watched by United goalkeeping legend Edwin van der Sar – was the busier of the two goalkeepers and at the end of the game United were just happy to have got over the line with three points. They could have made it easier for themselves but Anthony Martial lifted a sitter over the bar midway through the second half.

He was hooked by Mourinho shortly after and his replacement Marcus Rashford was unlucky not to score when his drive struck the bar.

Bournemouth sensed that United might be vulnerable early on and the pace of Josh King caused his former club some anxiety with Phil Jones having to get in vital challenges and blocks on three occasions.

United looked anxious and twice needed De Gea to produce saves, the first when Charlie Daniels burst forward and unleashed a skidding 25-yard shot and then when Dan Gosling fired in a goalbound shot from a tight angle.

Manchester United had barely threatened as an attacking force when they took the lead against the run of play. 

Martial made a run down the left before turning the ball back to Mata, who crossed to the far post where Lukaku was too strong for Ake as he powered a header past Asmir Begovic and into the top corner.

It did not deter Bournemouth. De Gea was brought into action again by Junior Stanilas’ low drive while skipper Simon Francis missed the best chance of the first half when, unmarked, he fired high into the Stretford End after a corner dropped to him eight yards out.

Lukaku was booked for a foul on Harry Arter and was relieved that referee Graham Scott had not cautioned him for an earlier challenge on Ake, otherwise his night would have been over.

Just before the break De Gea had to react smartly to stop Ryan Fraser’s cross-shot from sneaking in at his near post and the Cherries could feel aggrieved to be behind at half-time.

United endured an anxious second half. They needed a second goal to kill off Bournemouth but Martial turned the ball over the top when it looked easier to score after Begovic had saved Lukaku’s shot.

Rashford’s piledriver came back off the bar with Begovic beaten but United needed De Gea to rescue them when Jermain Defoe had a late chance.

MAN UTD (4-2-3-1): De Gea 8; Valencia 7, Jones 7, Smalling 7, Shaw 7 (Young 83); Matic 6, McTominay 6; Mata 7, Lingard 6 (Herrera 71), Martial 6 (Rashford 66); Lukaku 7. Booked: Lukaku. Goal: Lukaku 25. 

NEXT UP: West Brom (a), Sun PL.

BOURNEMOUTH (4-4-1-1): Begovic 6; Smith 6, Ake 5, Francis 6, Daniels 6; Stanislas 6 (Defoe 71), Arter 6, Gosling 7 (Cook 77), Fraser 6; King 7; Wilson 6 (Afobe 71). Booked: Gosling, Arter.

NEXT UP: Liverpool (h), Sun PL.

Referee: G Scott (Oxfordshire).