MANCHESTER UNITED fluffed another chance to go fifth in the Premier League as they shared eight goals with Bournemouth in a breathless game at Old Trafford.
United’s 4-4 draw with Andoni Iraola’s side will be one for the ages as both sides were relentless in front of goal, lacked control and were full of defensive errors.
United’s 2-1 half-time lead – through goals from Amad and Casemiro – collapsed within seven minutes of the restart as Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier struck.
But Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick and Matheus Cunha‘s strike within two minutes of each other turned everything on its head a second time, only for Eli Junior Kroupi to find an equaliser six minutes from time to earn Bournemouth a point.
Ruben Amorim‘s side looked to be playing a tweaked or even entirely altered formation from the manager’s beloved 3-4-3, shifting into a 4-4-2 in the second-half and remain sixth in the table.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players from an extraordinary final home game before Christmas.
Senne Lammens – 5
The Belgian was undone by three precise low strikes as he suffered the same fate as predecessor Andre Onana by conceding at least three Bournemouth goals at Old Trafford.
He appeared unready and flat-footed for the second, which came 41 seconds after half-time and should perhaps have got to Marcus Tavernier‘s free-kick as the ball swung onto his side.
But he earns a huge point for denying Bournemouth a winner in the 96th minute.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Continued his strong form since Amorim’s criticism with a stunning assisting cross for the well-deserved opener.
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The Portugal international was also sharp in defensive duties, with a strong shoulder in the box and huge tackle after Bournemouth’s first leveller. Moved from left-back to right-back midway through the second half.
Leny Yoro – 5
Yoro tried to put his forgettable display at Palace in the past with a more assured performance here, appearing to get the better of Semenyo in the opening exchanges.
But the Frenchman played a part in some pretty dismal defending and a wobbly offside trap for Evanilson’s goal.
Ayden Heaven – 4
The 19-year-old appears not quite ready for this level. The youngster was slow to spot the danger for two of Bournemouth’s goals.
He backed off Semenyo for the equaliser, which caught flak from Mason Mount‘s waving arms and was on the wrong side of Evanilson for 2-2.
Amorim might consider rushing Lisandro Martinez back to start in the back-three, it’s almost unfair to leave Heaven this exposed. United missed Matthijs de Ligt, who is out injured.
Luke Shaw – 4
His backline partners are 19 and 20 years old, but it was the experienced Shaw who was robbed of the ball on the touchline by Justin Kluivert to tee up Semenyo for Bournemouth’s first equaliser.
Moved back to left-back when United moved to a back four midway through the second-half.
Amad Diallo – 7
The change to a 4-3-3 allowed Amad the freedom to roam forward and pressurise Bournemouth’s backline in United’s best first-half of football in a long while.
The traditional winger did his best to give United a perfect send-off before he heads off to African Cup of Nations duty for Ivory Coast. Like his team-mates, he did struggle in the second half.
Casemiro – 6
For all his slow midfield mishaps, Casemiro‘s fourth goal of the season seconds before the half-time whistle came at a crucial time for United.
Feel like a broken record but the Brazil captain was on hand for some important interceptions but a sloppy tackle conceded the free-kick for Tavernier’s goal. Hooked when United were 3-2 down.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Fernandes, the hero that he is in these parts, saved United’s 41-year record of failing to lose a game when leading at half-time since May 1984.
His belter off a freekick flew past Djordje Petrovic and turned the tide in United’s favour, briefly. His corner assisted Casemiro’s fortunate header.
Mason Mount – 6
Early chance at Djodje Petrovic and Mount’s off ball work often goes unnoticed. It’s perhaps the best part of his game.
The 26-year-old showed why the manager loves him, working hard to earn the ball back for his team-mates throughout.
Bryan Mbeumo – 5
It appeared to be a stronger performance from Mbeumo, who has fallen off the pace in recent weeks. But he looked way off it again in the second-half with his end product lacking.
The winger did his best to beat his fellow Afcon-bound team-mate Amad after United’s opener, when his acrobatic volley whipped just over the crossbar, but he whacked a close range shot over the bar to leave Old Trafford fuming.
Matheus Cunha – 7
Cunha has been accused of not providing enough goals since his £62.5million summer move, but the Brazilian thought he grabbed the winner.
Earned his luck when the ball bounced off Adrien Truffert for his goal. Two slick passes to free Amad and another to play in Mbeumo marked a brilliant false nine performance.
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Kobbie Mainoo (for Casemiro, 60) – 6
Old Trafford was deafening when Mainoo replaced Casemiro on the hour mark. Before coming on the 20-year-old played just 13 minutes in the last three games.
But it’s difficult for Mainoo to make an impression in his limited playing-time. He had several tidy touches and got through the lines better than Casemiro.
Lisandro Martinez (for Yoro, 69) – 5
The Argentine is working his way back to the starting XI with the final 30 minutes here after recovering from a brutal ACL injury.
Left David Brooks for a free header at Lammens at the death.
Benjamin Sesko (for Mount, 69) – 6
Bravely and assuredly took the ball off Bryan Mbeumo‘s feet on the left wing to play it into Cunha for the winner.
In that moment, the 23-year-old could not have asked for a better return to the pitch after limping off at Spurs back in October. Was inches away from extending his leg for a potential winner in stoppage time.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Mbeumo, 92) – N/A
Patrick Dorgu (for Shaw, 92) – N/A
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