Amad Diallo opened the scoring in the 13th minute from about a yard out after Bournemouth defenders failed to clear their lines. Antoine Semenyo levelled things up just before half-time, but Casemiro restored United’s lead just a few minutes later.
It was all guns blazing for both sides in the second half. Evanilson restored parity for the second time, with Marcus Tavernier giving Bournemouth the lead for the first time with an exquisite freekick.
Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha then scored two goals in the span of two minutes, and United looked like they would just about scrape a win. Young Eli Junior Kroupi had different ideas though, and it ended 4-4.
Who needs to defend?
It was a very entertaining game, but it’s fair to say the defending could have been better. Luke Shaw, Ayden heaven, and Leny Yoro were all over the place, and their Bournemouth counterparts weren’t much better.
Bournemouth were able to find space between the three United centre-backs far too easily. Evanilson had little to contend with for his goal, and even though it was a fantastic finish, young Heaven gave him too much time.
The same could be said for Cunha’s goal. Marcos Senesi stepped up and got done by Bryan Mbeumo, then with Adam Smith and Bafodé Diakité out of position, Cunha had plenty of space to go and finish.
With both sides pushing their midfielders and forwards incredibly high up the pitch, defenders were left scrambling. It made for a great game though.
Antoine Semenyo a lucky boy?
Back amongst the goals for the first time in seven Premier League games, Semenyo looked like the player being linked with the likes of Man City, Liverpool, and Tottenham once again, but was he lucky to be on the pitch?
The winger very much lost his cool, grabbing Diogo Dalot by his throat after the Man United full-back went in with a dangerous tackle a few minutes after his goal. Simon Hooper gave each of them a yellow card, and after a look from VAR, they decided to stick with the on-field decision.
On another day, it might have been different. Casemiro picked up a red card for a similar incident in a game against Crystal Palace back in 2023, but considering Dalot’s challenge, it was probably the correct call.
Man United will be hit the hardest by AFCON
Amorim’s side will be without Mbeumo, Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui for the next month as they all head off to represent their respective nations at AFCON. Only Sunderland will be missing more players.
The importance of these three, in particular Diallo and Mbeumo, can’t be understated. Mbeumo may not have gotten on the scoresheet, or got an assist, but he was a constant threat in Man United’s build up and has probably been their best player of the season so far.
As for Diallo, he showed exactly why he continues to start at right wingback, even if it’s not his natural position. He was often the extra man for United, popping up in attacking positions to either bring teammates into play or being a threat.
United don’t have other players with the same profile as Diallo and Mbeumo in the squad. Don’t be surprised if they struggle without them.