Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth put on a real spectacle at Old Trafford on Monday evening: it was back and forth, there were two direct free kick goals to marvel at, and in the end it was a 4-4 draw.
After picking up seven points from their last three games, Manchester United had the chance to jump to fifth place in the Premier League on Monday evening. To make this happen, United coach Ruben Amorim made one change to the team that beat bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton 4-1. Mazraoui, who was away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, was replaced by Yoro.
Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola also made a change after the 0-0 draw against Chelsea: former Leipzig player Adams started in place of Scott. However, this change was reversed after just five minutes because Adams had to come off injured.
United start with a lot of enthusiasm
The Red Devils clearly dominated the early stages of the game. They played some really attractive combination football and hardly allowed the Cherries out of their own defensive third. Mount had the first good chance in the 8th minute, but Petrovic saved. Five minutes later, the ball was in the net: after a cross from Diogo Dalot, the ball slipped through to Amad, who headed in from close range (13′).
With the lead behind them, United continued to play lively up front. The home side played freely and had their next good chance in the 19th minute with a curling shot from Matheus Cunha. And then Mbeumo had the chance to make it 2-0, but he too found his master in Petrovic (26′). In the midst of this period of pressure, Bournemouth had a chance to equalize out of nowhere: Tavernier powered a header towards goal, but sent the ball straight to Lammens (29′). United were not fazed by this and had a chance to score a dream goal shortly afterwards through Mbeumo. However, the striker’s bicycle kick went just over the bar (36′).
Semenyo equalizes – Casemiro has the last word in the first half
Shortly before the break, the home team was punished for its poor finishing: Semenyo won the ball from Shaw, went into the penalty area on the right and converted with a low shot into the far corner (40′). It was a shock for United, which brought the Cherries back into the game. But Casemiro had the last word in stoppage time at the end of the first half. He headed in from a corner to restore the lead – Petrovic did not look good in this scene (45+4).
Spectacle in the second half
The second half then developed into a spectacle rarely seen in professional football. Immediately after the break, Evanilson broke free and scored the equalizer for Bournemouth (46′). And just six minutes later, Tavernier converted a free kick from 20 meters out in a central position directly into the goalkeeper’s corner (52′). Bournemouth had turned the game around within a few minutes.
ManUnited struggled a little after that, but then almost equalized through a slipped cross from Matheus Cunha (67′). Shortly afterwards, Mbeumo had a chance to make it 3-3 with a volley from close range, but he put the ball over the bar (70′). Things really heated up in the 77th minute. The home side were awarded a free kick in an excellent position—18 meters to the left of the goal. Amid chants of “Bruno” from the United fans, captain Fernandes stepped up to take the free kick and curled the ball beautifully and unstoppably into the right corner.
In the end, the Cherries are closer to victory
And just two minutes later, the game was completely turned on its head again when Matheus Cunha converted a self-initiated attack to give the home side a 4-3 lead. However, the Red Devils are not currently the top team that can confidently hold on to such a lead. Instead, in the 84th minute, it was once again far too easy for the Cherries: Jimenez passed to Kroupi in the center of the penalty area and the 19-year-old converted with a good finish past the left post to make it 4-4.
After that, there was no structure left at all and AFC Bournemouth almost scored the 5-4. However, Lammens stood in the way of Brooks’ chances (90+6/90+10), resulting in a spectacular draw. Manchester United, who missed out on fifth place due to the draw, will next face +10), Lammens was in the way, so that in the end it was a spectacular draw. Manchester United, who missed out on moving up to fifth place due to the draw, will next play Aston Villa on Sunday (5:30 p.m.). The Cherries will play at home against Burnley on Saturday (4 p.m.).