Manchester United and Bournemouth staged a defense-optional thriller at Old Trafford on Monday, as both teams tossed aside leads in a scintillating 4-4 draw.
MORE — Ruben Amorim reacts to thrilling draw
Bruno Fernandes scores a brilliant free kick as part of a virtuoso performance that saw the Red Devils lead 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 en route to the draw. Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo, and Casemiro also scored, but Man United’s back line was ripped to shreds by the Cherries.
Marcus Tavernier was equally as good for the Cherries as Fernandes was for the Red Devils, playing a part in Bournemouth’s first three goals. Antoine Semenyo, Evanilson, and hotshot teenager Eli Junior Kroupi joined him on the score sheet.
WATCH — Manchester United v Bournemouth full match replay
Man United again fail to move into the top five. They remain sixth with 26 points, two points off fourth-place Chelsea.
Bournemouth’s winless run hits seven, though they’ve drawn thrice in their last five Premier League games. They’re 13th with 21 points.
Red Devils battered back line defies banner day in attack
If Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were a bit sharper with the final ball, this might’ve been a blowout by halftime. The good news is that the attack kept working and pretty much every player behind and above the Red Devils back three had a very good day at the office. Matthijs De Ligt missed another game and his absence continues to scream off the pitch. Ayden Heaven had a few good moments but Leny Yoro was well off his standards and Luke Shaw had a very rare stinker. And Lisandro Martinez came off the bench to show why he’s not yet ready to start, his rusty reaction time helping Eli Junior Kroupi toward Bournemouth’s fourth goal and allowing a huge chance that Senne Lammens stopped from making it 5-4 in stoppage time. There’s just no way to describe how fun the attack was — (25 shots, nine on target, 3.29 xG) — and how just one more intervention could’ve had the Red Devils tied for the league’s fourth-best points total. This was a day when Benjamin Sesko returned and had a confidence-boosting cameo, playing a part in a goal to highlight a day that Amorim’s formation and attack could stamp on its resume. (NM)
What’s next?
Man United get six days to gear up for a match with third-place Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday. A visit from Newcastle follows in what will be a pivotal fortnight for the Red Devils.
Bournemouth host Burnley at 10am ET Saturday.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth final score: 4-4
Amad Diallo 14', Antoine Semenyo 40', Casemiro 45+4', Evanilson 46', Marcus Tavernier 52', Bruno Fernandes 77', Matheus Cunha 79', Junior Kroupi 84'
Manchester United vs Bournemouth live updates — by Nick Mendola
Last Man Utd move
Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu for Mbeumo and Shaw.
Bournemouth subs
James Hill for David Brooks take the places of Kluivert and Scott in the first of eight minutes’ stoppage.
Eli Junior Kroupi goal — Man United 4-4 Bournemouth
Man United’s back line is a nightmare.
Eli Junior Kroupi is 2 yards in front of a rusty Lisandro Martinez, and he gets a through ball and levels it at 4.
Matheus Cunha goal — Man United 4-3 Bournemouth
Mbeumo drives the left and he’s overlapping by a cannonballing Benjamin Sesko.
The forward’s cross is blocked but Cunha scoops up the spoils and bowls the ball by Petrovic.
Old Trafford has erupted.
Bruno Fernandes free kick goal — Man United 3-3 Bournemouth
Adam Smith’s handling of a free kick may have his his shoulder or even face, and Bournemouth are furious that Bruno Fernandes will lord over a free kick from 23 yards.
They are going to only be angrier after Fernandes unleashed a gorgeous free kick to tie the game.
Bryan Mbeuno wastes chance
A close-range miss from the Cameroonian, who could have 10 goals this season if his finishing was anywhere near last season’s level.
Red Devils remain down a goal, now into the 71st minute.
Man United subs include Sesko
Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez come into the game for Mason Mount and Leny Yoro.
Man United’s back three have been awful today, and that makes the Martinez entry feel almost as pivotal as the return of Sesko.
Man United sub
Casemiro is off for Kobbie Mainoo.
The Brazilian had been good but was one a yellow.
The continued roars from United fans greeting Mainoo’s arrivals remain interesting.
Casemiro stats vs Bournemouth (from fotmob.com)
Casemiro stats vs Bournemouth (from fotmob.com)
Marcus Tavernier goal — Man United 2-3 Bournemouth
Goodness, gracious.
Casemiro is caught and gives away a free kick 24-25 yards out from goal and central.
Marcus Tavernier snaps a free kick a half-dozen yards to the right of the Man United wall, where Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha are standing. It sails between them and darts inside the far post.
Bad from them. Not ideal from Lammens, either.
Evanilson goal — Man United 2-2 Bournemouth
A playmaker’s assist and a striker’s finish.
Tavernier cuts into the midfield and slides an incisive pass to Evanilson.
The ex-Porto man has a step on Ayden Heaven and is behind Leny Yoro to snap the ball inside the far post for 2-2.
Halftime — Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth
Ruben Amorim would’ve been furious to go into the room at 1-1, as his boys had again struggled to finish chances at home and Semenyo made one of Bournemouth’s lone moments into a goal.
Sure the Cherries are well out-of-form, but Man United out-attempted their visitors 17-7 and put four of those shots on target.
It’s a terrible cliche but it applies here — the next goal will be huge.
Casemiro goal — Man United 2-1 Bournemouth
The Casemir-enaissance continues.
Truffert whiffs on his leap to meet Fernandes corner kick and Casemiro heads home for a fourth Premier League goal this season.
Scrap!
Semenyo takes umbrage with Diogo Dalot submarining his aerial challenge.
Semenyo gets his hand on Dalot’s neck, but it’s a hit more than a grasp. Any higher or stronger and Semenyo could’ve bene sent off.
Instead it’s a yellow each.
Antoine Semenyo goal — Man United 1-1 Bournemouth
Good goal but it was delivered up to Antoine Semenyo.
Luke Shaw is too easily shouldered off the ball by Marcus Tavernier and there goes Semenyo toward the United goal.
Mason Mount is trying to direct Ayden Heaven away from challenging Semenyo, and that gives the striker just a little bit more room to sneak the ball past the extended leg of Senne Lammens.
It should’ve been 2-0 or 3-0. Now it’s level.
Terrific tackle
Man United looked the more likely to get the second goal, but Bournemouth found a solid five-minute spell before the next huge moment of danger.
That came from Amad Diallo, who skipped by a defender and looked set to slot inside the far post only to be denied by a sliding Adam Smith.
Still 1-0 Man United now into the 35th minute.
Amad Diallo goal — Man United 1-0 Bournemouth
This goal was coming, as they say.
Matheus Cunha’s header was saved by Djordje Petrovic, but Amad Diallo rose high to nod the spoils over the line from close range.
Tyler Adams injury
It’s a knee injury and it doesn’t look good. USMNT fans can find some hope in that it was a contact injury that sees their midfielder depart for Alex Scott after just five minutes — Adams was lunging to block Matheus Cunha’s shot and took the ball and the shooter’s foot to his own and the pain clearly vibrated up his left leg.
More on that, here.
Manchester United lineup
Lammens, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Diallo, Mbeumo, Cunha, Mount
Bournemouth lineup
Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Diakite, Jimenez, Smith, Adams, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson
Manchester United vs Bournemouth preview
Ruben Amorim’s side smashed Wolves 4-1 last Monday and have had a whole week to prepare for this game against Bournemouth. That extra preparation time is definitely helping, as United have lost just one of their last nine in the Premier League and have found some much-needed consistency. Things are starting to click in attack too but it has been a case of two steps forward and one back for most of this season.
Bournemouth head to Old Trafford struggling as they’re without a win in their last six but have played better than results suggest. They drew 0-0 at home against Chelsea last time out but the Cherries have failed to score in each of their last two games, which is very unusual for them as they’re usually among the great entertainers in the league.
Manchester United team news, focus
United are still without Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt as the two center backs remain out injured. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all heading away with their respective nations for the Africa Cup of Nations and United remain unsure if they can play on Monday, as that was the date given for when players had to be released for the tournament. Benjamin Sesko is working his way back to fitness but remains a doubt, while captain Bruno Fernandes has been superb in a deeper role as he continues to create big chances and scored two himself against Wolves. Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha also looked very sharp in the big win last time out. Amorim will be aiming to get back to winning ways at home after a disappointing draw with West Ham and defeat to Everton in United’s last two outings at Old Trafford.
Bournemouth team news, focus
Benn Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie and Veljko Milosavljevic are all out through injury while Lewis Cook is suspended and Marcos Senesi is a doubt. Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo could be playing in his last few games for the club as he has a $86 million release clause in his contract which is activated in January. He has the likes of Liverpool, Man City and Spurs circling, while Man United were said to be interested in him in the summer. But Semenyo and Bournemouth have slowed down massively after a fast start to the season as the hub of Bournemouth’s attack has failed to score or assist in his last seven league games.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth prediction
This feels like it will be a very tight game but United’s extra quality in attack will edge it. Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth.
How to watch Manchester United vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Monday (December 15)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
