Manchester United on Monday blew the lead three times to miss out on moving up to fifth in the Premier League as AFC Bournemouth would not be beaten in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
United have lost just once in their past 10 games, but Ruben Amorim would be frustrated as more points at home were frittered away despite arguably the best attacking display of his reign in charge.
Amad Diallo and Casemiro gave the hosts a halftime lead either side of Antoine Semenyo’s equalizer.
Photo: AP
Two Bournemouth goals from Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier in seven minutes at the start of the second period turned the game around.
The Red Devils roared back through a brilliant Bruno Fernandes free-kick and Matheus Cunha’s second goal for the club.
However, after failing to beat 10-man Everton and struggling West Ham United at home in the past few weeks, United let another two points slip away.
Photo: AFP
Eli Junior Kroupi’s fine finish secured a point for Bournemouth, who should have even snatched victory in stoppage-time as David Brooks was twice denied by Senne Lammens.
“It was a fun game for everyone at home,” Amorim said.
“When you win away, you should win at home. The performance today was different from the last two at home,” he said. “The result is the same, it is frustrating, but the performance is different.”
Photo: AFP
United’s defensive frailties without the experienced duo of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were exposed as they failed to win for the third consecutive home game.
Not since May 1984 have United lost a home league game that they were leading at halftime.
“It’s very difficult to explain because so much happened,” Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said. “I suppose it was entertaining for everyone. Two teams that attacked much better than we defended.”
Amorim turned his frustration on the wasted chances during the dominant first half.
“We are really disappointed. Crazy game. It might look like we lost the two points in the second half, but I think we lost them in the first half,” the Portuguese coach said. “We dominated and created so many chances. We had to go to halftime with a different result.”
Bournemouth’s winless run stretches to seven games, but a point edges them up to 13th.
United move ahead of Liverpool on goal-difference into sixth.
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