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Manchester United put in another poor performance as they escaped with a 2-2 draw in Bournemouth today.
The Red Devils were coming off the back of a frenetic 2-2 draw with Liverpool last Sunday, aiming to win their first game since the return from the March international break.
In a quiet start to the game, United’s young French defender, Willy Kambwala, cleared the ball from Dominic Solanke and showed his strength and coolness under pressure by shepherding the ball out of play away from Luis Sinisterra within the first five minutes of play.
The first moment of danger arrived when Kobbie Mainoo lost the ball under pressure on the edge of his own penalty area but luckily the Bournemouth attacker was forced out wide and Harry Maguire could clear the ball from the dangerous Dominic Solanke. It was an ominous sign of things to come.
The youngster’s afternoon soon turned sour after Onana’s long ball was lost by Alejandro Garnacho and Bournemouth pounced on the error, pushing the ball forward, and as the Frenchman tried to cut out the ball he slipped, allowing Solanke to fire home from just outside the box.
It was a terrible error by the 19 year old, but one must wonder how he was left to deal with the situation all by himself as neither of Harry Maguire nor Casemiro were anywhere to be seen.
United almost responded immediately, as in the 18th minute, Rashford charged forward and beat his man on the outside before firing the ball into the side netting when he probably should have at least hit the target.
Erik ten Hag’s chaos ball was in full throttle once more as moments later, the Cherries charged up the pitch with a long ball and Milos Kerkez suddenly found himself in United’s box but could only fire at Andre Onana.
One minute later, Bournemouth were back again as Sinisterra ran at Dalot and as United’s defence backed off, he dragged a shot just wide of the Cameroonian’s left hand post.
Now the side from the Vitality Stadium were at it again, as just a minute later, Casemiro lost the ball under little pressure and the Cherries streamed forward and Sinisterra found Christie inside the box, who fired right down Onana’s throat.
However, United would find themselves levels seconds later in true muddled fashion.
In the 31st minute, Rashford won the ball on the edge of the Bournemouth area and released Garnacho down the right who slid the ball across the goal and the ball fortunately flicked up for Bruno Fernandes, to smash into the roof of the net with a left footed volley.
It was hard to argue it was deserved but you wouldn’t have found many United fans caring.
However, supporters of the Red Devils have learned not to get too far ahead of themselves this season.
In the 36th minute of play, Justin Kluivert was given more freedom than he could dream of to cut inside and calmly fire his side back into the lead from an outstretched Onana. Once again, Ten Hag’s men failed to keep the ship steady after scoring a goal.
Nine minutes of stoppage time was added to the end of the first half and the Old Trafford’s side goal continued to live a charmed life.
There was still time in the first half for an unmarked Kerkez to head the ball into the ground and clip the top of United’s crossbar.
Ten Hag’s men’s frail defence was on show once more as Kluivert was found in acres of space from a cross in the 50th minute of play and the Red Devils were only let off the hook by poor finishing, as he shot right at Onana.
In a breathless first half, there was still just enough time for Ten Hag’s men to come within inches of finding an undeserved equaliser. Manchester United looked completely lifeless, save the magic of their captain, who cut inside and dipped a fierce strike from range that rattled off the top of the crossbar.
In a shock change, Alejandro Garnacho was subbed off for Amad Diallo during the half-time break to try and change United’s luck in front of goal, as the young Argentine looked drained from weeks of non-stop football.
United started the second half in a more stable manner, but failed to create any sort of chance in a tepid first 15 minutes of play of the second half.
However, out of nowhere, a tame, deflected shot from Mainoo was inexplicably handled by Bournemouth captain, Adam Smith, giving the Red Devils an unlikely lifeline from the penalty spot.
Up stepped Fernandes and he drew his side level from 12 yards with a cool finish into the bottom corner, as he gleefully accepted Bournemouth’s gift and scored his second of the match.
Both teams proceeded to have brief spells of the ball without much threat from either. In truth, the second half was in direct contrast to the pulsating first half and drifted along without much happening.
However, another error in the United defence allowed Max Aarons to carry the ball forward but he dragged his effort wide of the post in the 85th minute of play.
Ten Hag’s men responded with a mazy run from Casemiro into the home side’s penalty box which almost gave the Brazilian the chance to repeat his heroics from last season. Shortly after, Diallo volleyed high and wide after the ball dropped kindly for him in the 88th minute.
The fourth official’s board indicated six minutes of added time, with the two sides locked in a 2-2 draw.
Subsequently, the Cherries had a couple of late corners to try and find a winner but nothing came of either opportunity.
United fans had their hearts in their mouth when it appeared that Kambwala had brought down Christie inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. However, VAR overruled the original decision as contact was first made outside the area.
The game ended in the 100th minute of play with another two points dropped and Champions League football all but out of reach for Ten Hag’s men.
Starting XI: Onana, Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund
Subs: Diallo, Mount
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