Amorim, is that you? United refuse Cherries' gifts and "commit suicide" instead

Bournemouth and Manchester United are playing wild games, and that’s a fact! After a 4-4 draw at Old Trafford four months ago, last night they drew again, this time with half as many goals - 2-2.

Even though both sides created chances during the opening 45 minutes, the true showdown started after the break.

The Red Devils had the lead in their hands twice. First, after Bruno Fernandes converted a spot kick at the hour mark, and then, thanks to James Hill’s unfortunate own goal 11 minutes later. In the meantime, Ryan Christie briefly levelled the score.

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Although conceding from an own goal just four minutes after scoring the equalizer would dishearten many, Andoni Iraola’s men were ready to fight until the end, and were rewarded for this brave approach, as the Red Devils entered their well-known “confused phase” - usual for the days prior to Michael Carrick’s arrival.

In the 80th minute, Harry Maguire reminded everyone of his old subpar self, while United looked like the disorganized one from Ruben Amorim’s era. Their former captain conceded a poor penalty kick and was sent off, leaving his teammates to desperately defend at least a draw, as Eli Junior Kroupi sent the spot kick home.

In the end, United survived and avoided a defeat, but also suffered a significant blow in the Champions League race.

Unlike the previous duel between Bournemouth and Manchester United, when the first half brought three goals, last night the rivals were level at the break - 0-0.

Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that there were no chances. On the contrary, the crowd at Vitality Stadium saw genuine fireworks and a number of attempts, mainly in front of their team's goal.

United's strikes were coming one after another: Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes... But all of them had one insurmountable obstacle before them - the Cherries' custodian, Djordje Petrovic.

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In the 35th minute, the Red Devils' captain had a colossal chance, and the former Chelsea keeper stopped the Portuguese's close-range shot with his leg almost on the very goal line.

On the other hand, Andoni Iraola's men tried to trouble the opponent any time they could, but apart from Rayan's long-range effort and Marcus Tavernier's free-kick strike, which Senne Lammens both saved, they didn't have many opportunities to break the deadlock.

For a quarter of an hour in the second half, all the viewers probably wondered if it was the same game they watched before the break. And then Matheus Cunha spilled some magic.

The Brazilian received Lammens' long ball on the left flank, made a magnificent solo effort between the two rivals' defenders, and forced Alejandro Jimenez to make a rather poor decision, pulling United's forward by the jersey inside the box. The ref pointed to the spot, and Bruno finally won the showdown against Petrovic, putting the visitors in front.

However, the Red Devils' joy lasted for only seven minutes! Diallo fell too lightly in the Cherries box, demanding another spot kick, a counterattack followed, and ended with a leveller, scored by Ryan Christie, who was given way too much space in United's box by Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro, and took no prisoners.

You thought that was the end? Oh, no...

Just four minutes after the Scotsman's equalizer, Bruno took a corner kick, the ball deflected of one Bournemouth player, hit James Hill in the head, and rebounded into the net, for another visitors' lead, gained with an incredible doze of luck!

The own goal did not dishearten Bournemouth. On the contrary, they immediately went for another leveller and were extremely close, as Alex Scott hit the bar with a fantastic long-range effort just five minutes after his team conceded.

If the first chance was wasted, the second wasn't! It came in the 80th minute after Evanilson caught United's defence unprepared, Maguire took him down in the area, conceded a penalty and was sent off! Eli Junior Kroupi converted the spot kick, making it 2-2, as the Cherries had enough time to chase the eventual winner!

In the end, Iraola's men didn't have enough strength to complete a marvellous comeback, but proved once again that they are a tough nut to crack. The Cherries won a well-earned point, and handed a massive blow to United's Champions League aspirations.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 31

Friday

Bournemouth - Manchester United 2-2 (0-0)

/Christie 67, Kroupi 81 pen - Bruno 60 pen, Hill 71 og/

Saturday

15.30: (3.05) Brighton (3.80) Liverpool (2.30)

18.00: (1.60) Fulham (3.90) Burnley (5.80)

20.30: (3.45) Everton (3.50) Chelsea (2.20)

23.00: (2.45) Leeds (3.35) Brentford (2.90)

Sunday

15.00: (1.70) Newcastle (3.85) Sunderland (5.00)

17.15: (2.00) Aston Villa (3.60) West Ham (4.00)

17.15: (2.30) Tottenham (3.40) Nott.Forest (3.10)

***odds are subject to change***