United drop points amid penalty drama
United players and staff were furious with Stuart Attwell as they dropped points in the race for Champions League on Friday night. Already ahead via one penalty, the non-award for another after led directly to an equaliser for Bournemouth. He then pointed to the spot and sent off Harry Maguire late on.
It is now five draws in a row for the South Coast side. They were competitive throughout with Alex Scott showing his credentials yet again. They can count themselves fortunate to get a result here though.
Michael Carrick elected to go with the same starting line-up as he had against Aston Villa. Both Harry Maguire and Kobee Mainoo were boosted by their inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad during the week. Benjamin Sesko was back on the bench along with Mason Mount who was continuing his rehabilitation.
Andoni Iraola made two changes from their draw against Burnley. Alejandro Jimenez and Amine Adli both came into the side in favour of Adam Smith and Junior Kroupi.
Both teams had chances within seconds of one another in the opening stages. Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha both drew saves out of Djordje Petrovic. At the other end, Rocha Rayan should have done better when he was found in the box from a left wing pass. He dragged his shot wide though.
The away side were seeing more of the ball and looking dangerous in attack. Bruno Fernandes had two efforts saved by Petrovic and Cunha had a chance blocked.
Probably the best opportunity came in the 35th minute and again it was the United captain. Diogo Dalot got down the right flank and floated a ball into the back post. Fernandes had swopped positions with Cunha and met it with a first-time volley. The Cherries keeper was just about about to prevent it from crossing the line.
Marcus Tavernier had landed a goal in the reverse fixture and he was almost at it again. His free-kick was tipped over by Senne Lammens.
The game really came into life in the 59th minute. Cunha picked up the ball in midfield and drove at the defence. He went past Alex Scott and looked to be about to shoot when Alejandro Jimenez pulled his shirt. It earned the right-back a yellow card and a penalty to us. Fernandes stepped up to slot past Petrovic.
Within eight minutes the home side equalised amid huge controversy. Fernandes had managed to pick out Diallo who got past Adrien Truffert who dragged back the winger in the box. Play was allowed to continue on and Truffert set up Ryan Christie who’s shot from the edge of the area found the bottom corner. Utd players were still awaiting the VAR check which ruled it to be not a penalty.
United were back in front on 71 minutes though. Fernandes swung in a corner from the left towards Harry Maguire at the back post. In attempting to block him, James Hill only managed to put it into his own net.
Alex Scott came desperately close to another equaliser when his shot from outside the area crashed off the bar, rebounded off Lammens back and out to safety.
They did equalise with about ten minutes to go. Tavernier found substitute Junior Kroupi who slid a ball through for Evanilson. Maguire caught hold of his shirt and the forward went down. The referee awarded a penalty to Bournemouth and a red card to Maguire despite his protests. Kroupi slotted it past Lammens to draw it level yet again.
Ayden Heaven was subbed on to replace Maguire and Utd were forced to dig deep. Himself, Leny Yoro and Lammens were called upon to produce blocks and saves in the closing stretches as Bournemouth looked for a winner. Especially as nine minutes were announced for injury time. Due to international action, and cup games we do not play next until 13th of April when we take on Leeds. Bournemouth host the league leaders, Arsenal, on the 11th.
Bournemouth: Djordje Petrovic, Alejandro Jimenez (Adam Smith 73), James Hill, Marcos Senesi, Adrien Truffert, Alex Scott, Ryan Christie (Eli Junior Kroupi 73), Rocha Rayan (Ben Gannon Doak 87), Marcus Tavernier, Amin Adli (David Brooks 73), Francisco Evanilson.
Subs not used: Christos Mandas, Bafode Diakite, Enes Unal, Alex Toth, Veljko Milosavljevic.
Booked: Alejandro Jimenez (59), Adam Smith (90+2)
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Carlos Casemiro (Manuel Ugarte 82), Kobee Mainoo, Amad Diallo (Mason Mount 90+6), Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha (Ayden Heaven 82), Bryan Mbeumo (Benjamin Sesko 70).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Joshua Zirkzee, Adam Smith, Tyrell Malacia, Tyler Fredricson, Tyler Fletcher.
Booked: Casemiro (30), Benjamin Sesko (90+5)
Sent off: Harry Maguire (80)
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 11,250
Simply Red Man of the Match: Matheus Cunha
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