MANCHESTER United beat Bournemouth 3-1 in an English Premier League game hastily rearranged because of a bomb scare, sealing fifth place and a spot in the Europa League group stage Tuesday.

    United was never likely to score the 19 goals needed to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League, so the aim was to get the win to guarantee an automatic spot in the Europa League and take some momentum into the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

    Wayne Rooney scored one goal and played a part in two others. Playing in center midfield, Rooney finished off a well-worked team move in the 43rd minute, for his first goal since Feb. 2, and delivered key passes in the buildup to goals from Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young.

    United defender Chris Smalling scored an own goal with virtually the last touch of the game.

    Even if United wins the FA Cup, the season will have been a disappointment for the team and its manager Louis van Gaal, whose priority and target was a top-four finish. Van Gaal has one year left on his contract and his future remains uncertain, with United linked with a move for the unemployed Jose Mourinho.

    The original game Sunday was called off after Old Trafford was evacuated because a fake bomb was discovered in the toilets of one of the stands. Police said hours later that the device was left behind by a private company following a security training exercise using search dogs.

    It was not only an acutely embarrassing episode for United, it meant the team had to return two days later to play the game — disrupting preparations for the cup final. Van Gaal played a full-strength team, and appeared to avoid any injuries.

    It was business as usual outside Old Trafford, with fans met with the same levels of security as previous matches. Security was not oppressive, and the atmosphere was calm.

    It was also business as usual on the field for United, at least until Rooney’s goal, with the team’s build-up play ponderous and a crowd that was well short of the 76,635 capacity deprived of any entertainment.

    (SD-Agencies)