Romelu Lukaku's first-half header was enough for Manchester United to see off a determined Bournemouth outfit at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

The Red Devils were searching for a confidence boosting win after their derby loss to Manchester City last Sunday.

And their Belgian striker raised the supporters spirits when he connected on Juan Mata's cross from inside the six-yard box.

Eddie Howe's side were no pushovers however, and David De Gea was forced into action on more than one occasion by the visitors.

Speaking after the game, United boss Jose Mourinho was relieved to have defeated the defiant Cherries.

"I am pleased with the three points, it was difficult match," he said.

"They had one more day's rest than us, they were fresher than us, and mentally fresher because a big match takes more from our players.

"We had chances, Martial missed a good chance, Rashford could have had an astonishing effort, and in the last 15 they pushed us."

Asked if there was hangover after the Manchester derby, Mourinho disagreed.

"Fatigue, yes, but hangover - no," he continued. "The game was a big one, and a defeat does not help in your recovery - victories help, defeats don't.

"They were difficult opponents and difficult conditions. If we had scored the second it would have been a calm night for us."