Man United Held by Bournemouth in Thrilling Encounter

Manchester United twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in a pulsating Premier League encounter at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Captain Bruno Fernandes scored a brace for the visitors, who are now winless in four league games as their hopes of securing European football took another dent.

It was the hosts who drew first blood through Dominic Solanke’s assured 16th-minute finish. The English striker got the better of United defender Willy Kambwala before coolly slotting home into the bottom corner to give the Cherries a deserved lead.

The goal seemed to galvanize Gary O’Neil’s side, who went on to dominate the remainder of the first half. Andre Onana had to be at his best to deny Milos Kerkez from close range, while Luis Sinisterra and Ryan Christie also went close as Bournemouth pressed for a second.

However, their wastefulness in front of goal was punished midway through the half as Fernandes equalized for United. The Portuguese playmaker was on hand to turn home Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back delivery from the left flank.

Bournemouth soon restored their advantage though, and in clinical fashion. A simple ball over the top from Marcos Senesi carved open the space between Diogo Dalot and Kambwala, allowing Justin Kluivert to race through and calmly slot past the advancing Onana.

The home side should really have been out of sight by the interval. Kerkez headed against the bar from a corner, while Kluivert somehow failed to convert from pointblank range after Onana had parried the ball into his path.

At the other end, Fernandes struck the woodwork with a thunderous drive as United somehow went into the break just a goal behind despite being outplayed.

If the first half was breathless, the second period started at a similar frantic pace. Bournemouth continued to create chances, with Solanke seeing an audacious back-heeled effort whistle past the post.

But it was United who found themselves level for a second time just past the hour mark. Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo saw his shot from the edge of the area deflect wickedly off Adam Smith’s outstretched boot, wrongfooting goalkeeper Neto. Fernandes kept his composure to dispatch the resulting penalty kick.

There was still time for more drama though. Deep into stoppage time, Bournemouth thought they had won a penalty when Kambwala appeared to bundle over Christie in the box. However, after an agonizingly long VAR review, the referee controversially ruled that the foul had taken place just outside the area.

The draw leaves United in seventh place, three points adrift of the top four having played a game more than fourth-placed Newcastle. As for Bournemouth, they stay 12th but will feel this was two points dropped after such a valiant display.

Man United’s interim manager Michael Carrick cut a frustrated figure in his post-match comments, bemoaning his side’s inability to kill off games despite twice coming from behind.

“To come from behind twice shows character, but we have to be putting games like this to bed,” he said. “We had the chances, especially in the second half, but we just couldn’t get that third goal.”

His opposite number O’Neil was understandably more satisfied, praising his team’s fighting spirit and hailing the commitment of his players.

“The way the lads dug in and went toe-to-toe with one of the biggest clubs in the world, I’m immensely proud of them,” the Bournemouth boss said. “On another day we could have nicked all three points, but a draw is a decent result.”

Up next for United is a crunch clash against old foes Liverpool next weekend, while Bournemouth travel to Brentford looking to pull further clear of the relegation zone.