Old Trafford witnessed a Premier League classic on Monday night as Manchester United and Bournemouth played out a thrilling 4-4 draw, a match filled with twists, turns, and stunning goals. The result, a festive treat for the neutral, saw both sides relinquish leads and ultimately share the spoils in an eight-goal extravaganza.
Manchester United started brightly, with Amad Diallo, in what would be his final appearance before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations, nodding in the opening goal in the 13th minute after Djordje Petrovic parried Cunha's header. The home side continued to press, but Bournemouth gradually fought their way back into the game. Antoine Semenyo leveled the score in the 40th minute, capitalizing on a Luke Shaw giveaway and firing a low shot past Senne Lammens. Just before the break, Casemiro restored United's lead, heading home from a Bruno Fernandes corner in the 49th minute.
The second half exploded into life as Bournemouth scored twice in quick succession to turn the game on its head. Barely a minute after the restart, Marcus Tavernier played in Evanilson, who slotted past Lammens to make it 2-2. Six minutes later, Tavernier himself put the Cherries ahead with a brilliant free-kick that beat Lammens. United responded in kind; Bruno Fernandes scored a stunning free-kick into the top corner in the 77th minute after Adam Smith was penalized for a handball. Two minutes later, Matheus Cunha finished off a deflected cross from Benjamin Sesko to restore United's lead, making it 4-3.
However, the drama was far from over. Bournemouth substitute Junior Kroupi equalized in the 84th minute, assisted by Alex Jimenez, adding another twist to the game. In the dying moments, Bournemouth almost snatched a winner, with Lammens denying David Brooks twice in stoppage time to ensure the match ended in a draw.
The draw sees Manchester United move up to sixth in the Premier League standings, level on points with Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Sunderland, while Bournemouth climb to 13th. While United's attack showed promise, their defensive frailties were once again exposed. United have now failed to win their last three home Premier League games, after winning five of the previous six. Bournemouth, on the other hand, continued their remarkable record of scoring three or more goals in successive away games against Manchester United, a feat no other top-flight team has achieved.
Speaking after the game, United manager Ruben Amorim highlighted the need for his team to be more clinical and to better manage the momentum of the game. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola described the match as "difficult to explain" and praised his team's attacking performance.
