BOURNEMOUTH – MANCHESTER UNITED 2-2:
Manchester United continue to struggle in what has been a disappointing season. On Saturday night, the big club had to settle for one point away to Bournemouth, a team they lost 0-3 to at Old Trafford before Christmas.
The result means that the Red Devils have played four league games on the run without a win, and remain in seventh place in the Premier League table. Ten Hag and company have been passed by Newcastle after Saturday’s results.
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Some critics will probably claim that United were lucky to get a point from the Vitality Stadium. Perhaps especially considering the weak performances the United stars delivered before the break.
Ten Hag: – God lagmoral
Erik ten Hag believes it is difficult to say whether he himself or Bournemouth colleague Andoni Iraola had the most reason to be satisfied with the one point.
– We know we have to win. We will fight for the top positions. You can see in the game that we struggled in the first half. Maguire had problems but he got through it because we needed it. The second half was much better and the good thing was that we came back twice from being behind, says Manchester United’s Dutch manager to BBC.
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His team managed the same result, 2-2, against a gold-chasing Liverpool barely a week ago in a performance in which United appeared with considerably more enthusiasm. Ten Hag believes, however, that there is nothing to complain about the attitude of the players.
– Team morale is good. Towards the end, we could have been more collected and calm, and we could have made more of the chances, adds the United manager.
Chance cannonade
Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert sent Bournemouth into the lead twice in the first half. Bruno Fernandes scored once in each half and equalized with it after both hosts scored.
In Viaplay’s half-time broadcast, studio expert Steffen Iversen believed that Manchester United could concede three, four and five goals in the first half. He was probably not alone in his opinion.
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Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst pointed out during the half that United allowed even more goalscoring chances against than they did away to Brentford two weeks ago. Luckhurst summarized the first 45 minutes as follows via X:
– Manchester United have been so bad that they are lucky to only be 1-2 behind. Bournemouth have had twelve shots on target, and most of them have been excellent chances. Nevertheless, Erik ten Hag says that it is “ridiculous” to talk about shooting statistics. United have been ridiculous again.
HT. #mufc so bad they are lucky to only be 2-1 down. Bournemouth have had 12 shots at goal and most of them have been excellent chances. Yet Ten Hag says talking about the shots stat is ‘ridiculous’. United have been ridiculous again.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 13, 2024
VAR drama in overtime
Bournemouth’s dominance was not as prominent after the change of sides. The second half of the match appeared to be clearly more evenly played.
A somewhat unfortunate hand from Bournemouth’s Adam Smith, after 20 minutes of the second half, led to referee Tony Harrington quickly pointing to the penalty mark.
From there, Bruno Fernandes was safe and rolled in the away team’s second equalizer of the evening.
In extra time came another drama which at first seemed to lead to a penalty for Bournemouth.
However, the VAR review overturned referee Harrington’s decision to a free kick from the penalty spot. It didn’t lead to anything other than a corner which was cleared.
Both Manchester United and seventh-placed Newcastle are ten points behind the better places four and five, who qualify for the European Cup next season. Those table positions are occupied by Aston Villa and Tottenham with six league rounds remaining in the season.