From near-total control to chaos in minutes, Manchester United saw late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha seemingly secure a 4-3 win, only for Bournemouth to snatch a dramatic third equaliser through substitute Eli Kroupi, leaving the points shared in a 4-4 Premier League thriller. Fernandes curled a perfect free-kick into the net in the 77th minute, and Cunha capitalised just two minutes later after Benjamin Sesko’s cross deflected off Adrien Truffert. Before these strikes, United looked headed for a grim festive mood with another potential defeat. Despite Kroupi’s intervention, the result capped a run of just one loss in 10 games, highlighting United’s attacking prowess under Ruben Amorim, though defensive frailties remain glaring. Twelve minutes in, United sprang to life. Amad Diallo initiated and finished a move, starting from the right, passing to Casemiro, then Diogo Dalot on the left. Dalot’s diagonal cross found Cunha, whose header initially missed but ricocheted off Djordje Petrovic, leaving the goalkeeper no chance as Cunha nodded home. United’s early dominance included a sharp Cunha-to-Diallo pass leading to a Fernandes effort, two corners, and various blocked shots from Casemiro and Cunha. Scoring is no longer a problem for United; defending is. A high throw from Antoine Semenyo demanded Casemiro’s aerial intervention, and Marcus Tavernier’s close-range header was blocked by Senne Lammens. Amorim’s tactical setup drew attention, with speculation over a back four during warm-ups, though the team deployed five at the back when defending, shifting to four when attacking. Diallo impressed before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, his runs only partly stopped by Adam Smith. Cunha then delivered a no-look cross that nearly led to a Bryan Mbeumo volley. Yet United, despite dominating, conceded. Kluivert bullied Luke Shaw down the left, feeding Semenyo, who ran 40 yards to score past Lammens. Tensions flared in a Dalot-Semenyo clash, both players booked. Before halftime, Fernandes’ corner was headed in by Casemiro, restoring parity. Bournemouth struck again through defensive lapses by Yoro and Heaven and a precise Tavernier pass, allowing Evanilson to score. Further errors, including a free-kick drilled past a static United wall with Cunha and Fernandes beside it, highlighted defensive shortcomings. Amorim’s attempt to regain control saw the introduction of Kobbie Mainoo for Casemiro on the hour, energising United’s attack with threats from Mbeumo, Mount, Cunha, and Fernandes. Sesko also came on, though opportunities went begging, culminating in a frantic finish. United’s attacking flair shines, but defensive solidity remains elusive, a problem Amorim’s system has yet to resolve.
