Eddie Howe insists Bournemouth players have been 'outstanding'
Wednesday 18 May 2016 00:27, UK
Eddie Howe insists Bournemouth will eventually reflect positively on an historic first Premier League season.
Bournemouth's first-ever top flight campaign ended in a 16th-place finish after they lost six of their last eight games in the Premier League.
But they had been among the favourites to be relegated back in August, and manager Howe says the achievement will sink in in the summer.
He told Sky Sports: "Overall the players have been outstanding and we have to look forward to next season with optimism.
"I think the initial reaction is to be disappointed when you're beaten, but in the summer I think we'll reflect on a memorable season, the best in the club's history.
"Of course, we have to try and come back stronger and build. The league is going to be stronger, we've seen that in the closing weeks of the season.
"We've got to come back and get ready for a really tough campaign."
Bournemouth failed to create many clear-cut chances at Old Trafford, with goals from Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Marcus Rashford contributing to their defeat.
Howe rued the amount of possession the Cherries gave United, and said the second goal from Rashford killed the game off.
He said: "It was a difficult game, they frustrated us, and it was a game of few chances and they took theirs. The second goal killed it.
"They had too much possession, too much quality. When we did have it we turned it over too quickly. It was a difficult night for both teams after Sunday, but credit to both teams I thought they gave it their all."
