AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United drew on Friday evening. The home side countered two deficits and Maguire was sent off in the second half.
AFC coach Andoni Iraola made two changes after the 0-0 draw against Burnley FC, the second 0-0 draw and the fourth draw in a row. Smith and Kroupi replaced Jimenez and Adli. At the other end, United coach Michael Carrick did not make any personnel changes after the 3-1 win against Aston Villa.
The game did not need a long start: Amad failed to beat AFC keeper Petrovic after just five minutes, and on the direct counter-attack there was not much missing from a cross by Rayan (5′). Manchester then got stronger, but the visitors were unable to get past Petrovic, with the 26-year-old making one good save against Bruno Fernandes (16) and another brilliant one (35).
Bournemouth acted courageously
And when the goalkeeper was beaten once, defender Truffert saved (25). But Bournemouth were unimpressed. Instead of closing in at the back, the home side took control at the end of the first half, but apart from a Truffert volley, they were hardly dangerous up front (36′).
Bournemouth were more active again after the restart, but it was United who took the lead. Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty awarded by Jimenez (59′). Shortly afterwards, the visitors appealed for another penalty, but the referee allowed play to continue and the ball was in the net on the direct counter-attack: Christie got to the ball just 16 meters from goal and placed it in the right corner (67′).
Maguire sent off
However, the equalizer did not last long: four minutes later, the ball fell onto Hill’s head and into his own goal following a corner (71′). What Scott missed by a hair’s breadth with his cross in the 76th minute, Kroupi achieved shortly afterwards. Maguire’s foul on Evanilson not only resulted in a penalty for AFC, but also a straight red for Maguire as the last man. Kroupi stepped up and converted with ease (81′). Bournemouth went for it again in overtime, but failed to score – even in the nine minutes of stoppage time. This took United’s points haul for the season to 51, while it was Bournemouth’s fifth draw in a row.
Bournemouth have a tough task ahead of them on Saturday after the international break (11.4.2026, 1.30pm) when they travel to leaders Arsenal. United face Leeds United two days later, on Monday evening at 9pm.
