Under Friday night lights, Manchester United stumbled. A day to remember for Harry Maguire became a night of regret when he was shown a red card during a madcap second-half flurry of own goals, gaffes and disputed penalties. Twice United had the lead against Bournemouth, twice they were soon pegged back. Eli Junior Kroupi’s penalty snatched yet another draw for Andoni Iraola’s Premier League specialists, the fifth in succession, their 15th this season; the record is 18.
That made it six games in succession United have failed to beat Bournemouth, a side they continue to struggle with. Michael Carrick’s regime have changed plenty for the better over 10 games but here came a disorderly echo of a troubled recent past, a stall in the Champions League chase.
The 4-4 draw played out at Old Trafford in December was a key juncture in Ruben Amorim’s downward spiral, game, team and club spinning from his control. Steve Holland, Carrick’s assistant, track suit rather than sharp suit, shuns the limelight but has been influential, as he was when alongside Gareth Southgate. The pair could not find the key to Iraola’s team, fizzing with energy, unbeaten in the league since 3 January. “Really energetic and positive and constantly test you,” was Carrick’s post-match description.
Carrick, implacable on the sidelines amid bedlam, maintained calm in the afterglow. “We’re in a good place. We’ve put ourselves in this position through some good work, good results and good performances. We could have had more tonight but it’s not the end of the world.”
Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo had earlier been recalled by England and both are in line for new contracts when they were previously heading for the exit. Mainoo lined up against Alex Scott, omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s bloated squad, despite his outstanding season. England have a wealth of options in the No 6 position but Scott retained the stronger influence within a frantic midfield scrap. “It’s fuel,” said Scott, disappointed yet determined. Iraola said: “Maybe he has a chance at the end of the season because he’s doing everything from his side to be considered.”
Talk of Iraola, a systems manager though not in the mould of Amorim, being linked to United has dimmed. He afterwards sidestepped talk of a return to Athletic Bilbao, though referred to the club he served as a player as “my club”. Iraola versus the Carrick-Holland axis made for an entertaining clash of styles that began as it ended, a full-bore contest. “We wanted three points and we played well enough but they looked dangerous every time they came forward,” said Iraola.
Initially, Bournemouth acceded to United dominating possession. Matheus Cunha was especially full of invention, giving Álex Jiménez a torrid time, even if the full-back played full part in his team’s revival. United’s transfer successes have been rare in the club’s decade-plus of doldrums but Cunha is flourishing rather than shrivelling. That he closed out the half chasing down Rayan, this week joining Cunha in Brazil’s squad, showed worthy commitment to less glamorous disciplines.
The second half resumed at similar breakneck pace. Iraola’s team have real capability to disrupt opposition, and United’s discomfort grew. Casemiro, booked in the first half, struggled with staying on his best behaviour.
Then came a quick exchange of goals. United’s lead came against the run of play, and if Cunha’s fall was exaggerated, Jiménez did have full grasp of his shirt. Bruno Fernandes, who has missed twice this season, went back to his old penalty routine by delaying, feinting to send Djordje Petrovic the wrong way from the spot.
The United away contingent, previously quietened, returned to previous brash Manc swagger mode before outrage descended. Another penalty call looked plumb when Amad Diallo was baulked by Adrien Truffert but within seconds Bournemouth were level, Ryan Christie’s low shot rolling beyond an unsighted Senne Lammens. United’s hopes of video assistance rescue were dashed after a tense wait and the protestations continued post-match. “When it’s the bigger players they end up giving the fouls,” said Fernandes, suggesting Diallo’s size had counted against him. “That could’ve changed the game.”
When James Hill, Maguire looming, inadvertently headed in Fernandes’ corner, United retook the lead. Scott, increasingly to the fore, might have grabbed Bournemouth’s second equaliser sooner, his shot beating Lammens, hitting the post and back off the Belgian. Bournemouth would not wait much longer. Maguire was dismissed for his last-man grapple of Evanilson for a denial of a goalscoring opportunity. “Once it’s done, it’s done,” said Carrick, though making clear his view of United being denied a second penalty. “There are enough people to standardise the decisions. If one isn’t a penalty, the other isn’t a penalty.”
Once Kroupi converted, United were required to dig in, enduring 10 minutes of added-time discomfort from the opponents they find so difficult to shake off.