Manchester United Surrender Lead Thrice in Exciting 4-4 Stalemate with Bournemouth
Manchester United squandered their advantage on three occasions, preventing them from climbing to fifth in the Premier League table, as Bournemouth proved resilient in an exhilarating 4-4 tie at Old Trafford.
The team has tasted defeat only once in their previous 10 outings, yet Ruben Amorim must feel disappointed after dropping more points on home soil, even though it featured perhaps the most vibrant offensive showing under his management.
Amad Diallo and Casemiro put the hosts ahead by the interval, sandwiching Antoine Semenyo's leveller.
A pair of strikes from Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier within seven minutes right after the break flipped the script for Bournemouth.
The Red Devils hit back with a stunning free-kick from Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha's follow-up score for the side.
Nevertheless, following their inability to overcome 10-man Everton and a laboured effort against West Ham on their turf lately, United allowed two more points to escape.
Eli Junior Kroupi's sharp strike earned Bournemouth a share of the spoils, and they nearly grabbed all three in added time when David Brooks was stopped twice by Senne Lammens.
"It proved an enjoyable match for the crowd here," Amorim remarked.
"Success on the road demands victory at home. Today's display differed from the prior two home fixtures.
"The outcome remains the same, which is disheartening, yet the execution varied."
Bournemouth's drought without a win now reaches seven matches, but this draw lifts them to 13th position.
United edge past Liverpool on goals scored to claim sixth spot.
Hard to Fathom
Amid the letdown, Amorim can take solace in watching his high-profile attacking unit start to gel effectively.
The hosts earned their reward on the 13th minute as Diallo headed into an unguarded goal after Petrovic merely tipped Cunha's header.
In attack, United appeared sharper than at any point this campaign.
Defensively, however, they sorely lacked the leadership and know-how of the sidelined Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
Bournemouth drew level counter to the flow on the 40th minute.
Luke Shaw was shrugged aside with ease, letting Semenyo surge into the penalty area and rifle a low shot beyond Lammens for his first since early October.
United regained the upper hand in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, largely due to Petrovic's error.
Casemiro nodded Fernandes' corner towards goal, but the ex-Chelsea keeper ought to have gathered the Brazilian's effort comfortably.
All of United's solid work before the break unravelled in just seven minutes of the second half.
Evanilson latched onto Tavernier's pass to tuck it into the distant corner merely 37 seconds post-restart, marking his first since August.
Tavernier followed up by smashing a free-kick from outside the box over Lammens' outstretched arm.
As United regained their poise, opportunities once more arose for Amorim's squad.
Mbeumo fired wide from close range, while Petrovic awkwardly deflected Cunha's fierce drive.
United have not dropped a home league match they led at the break since May 1984.
They preserved that record as Fernandes curled a superb free-kick into the upper corner, then Cunha finished neatly after Adam Smith miskicked Benjamin Sesko's delivery.
Amorim seemed irked along the sideline despite his team's 4-3 edge.
The Portuguese's frustration deepened further with six minutes left when Eli Junior Kroupi slotted home.
Only Lammens' pair of superb stops in deep added time kept David Brooks from stealing a win for Bournemouth in a chaotic encounter at Old Trafford.
"Explaining it proves challenging with so many events unfolding," noted Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.
"I guess it entertained all onlookers. Both sides excelled in assault but faltered in defence."