Manchester United’s top-four hopes suffered a heavy blow as they settled for a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The Erik ten Hag-led team settled for a shock a 3-0 loss to the Andoni Iraola-led side in the reverse fixture early in the season. They were tipped to harvest a pound of flesh from the Cherries but ended up struggling to scrape through with a point.
A compounded defensive blunder by Manchester United saw the Cherries race into the lead in the 16th minute. Argentine sensation Alejandro Garnacho had given away the ball cheaply and Senesi picked and crossed from the flanks into the United box.
Willy Kambwala had a chance to clear cross but slipped before the ball found Solanke, who picked it up, spun to his best position, before unleashing a thunderbolt from close range into the roof of the net. Andre Onana had no chance as the rocket strike flew into the back of the net.
A minute after the half-hour, United found their way into the game after Bruno Fernandes latched on Garnacho’s flying cross, volleying it home with a first-time finish into the roof of the net.
Five minutes after Bruno Fernandes’ equaliser, Bournemouth raced into the lead again, no thanks to another defensive blunder by United.
Senesi, who assisted the Cherries’ opener was again instrumental to the second goal. The Argentine center-back picked on Kluivert, who was left unmarked as he raced into United’s defence and fired a low shot past Andre Onana to make it 2-1. Bournemouth went into the break with the lead.
United started the second half on the front foot but struggled to find an equaliser. In the 64th minute, the Red Devils secured a lifeline to nail home the equaliser and they converted it with a massive aplomb.
Smith had handled Kobbie Mainoo’s strike inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Bruno Fernandes made no mistake as he converted it from 12 yards to peg back the Cherries to a 2-2 draw.
Bruno Fernandes’ second goal seemed to have wrapped up the goal haul as both sides failed to find the back of the net again going forward.
At the stroke of stoppage time, United were dealt a blow when Willy Kambwala crashed into Christie and brought him down in the box.
The referee blew for a penalty but after a VAR check, the decision was overturned to a big relief for the Red Devils.
It ended 2-2 after the final with both sides sharing spoils. The draw has seen United fail to capitalize on Tottenham’s defeat against Newcastle United to reignite their top-four hopes.
