{"id":37592,"date":"2025-12-15T23:27:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T23:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=37592"},"modified":"2025-12-15T23:27:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T23:27:46","slug":"manchester-united-4-4-bournemouth-premier-league-as-it-happened-premier-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=37592","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United 4-4 Bournemouth: Premier League \u2013 as it happened | Premier League"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Match report<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ll leave you with Jamie Jackson\u2019s verdict from a thriller at Old Trafford. I\u2019m off for a lie down. Thanks for joining me.<\/p>\n

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Coming up for Manchester United: <\/strong>Aston Villa (A, Sun), Newcastle (H, 26 Dec), Wolves (H, 30 Dec), Leeds (A, 4 Jan).<\/p>\n

And for Bournemouth: <\/strong>Burnley (H, Sat), Brentford (H, 27 Dec), Chelsea (A, 30 Dec), Arsenal (H, 3 Jan).<\/p>\n

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Andoni Iraola <\/strong>gives his thoughts: <\/strong>\u201cDifficult to explain \u2013 a nice game, it had everything. Moments we thought we had lost, moments we were winning \u2013 and we could have won at the end. Just a point, but we can take a lot from the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth teams played aggressively; we attacked much better than we defended. The second goal was a cheap one, but we changed things tactically to match up with them. A very up and down game. At the end, could we win it? Could we lose it? We have to take a point.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ruben Amorim gives his verdict: <\/strong>\u201cA fun game for everyone at home. We started really well, the result should be completely different. We lost concentration, but we managed to get the lead back and we have to finish the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t want to talk about a back three or four, saying only \u201cdetails\u201d are important. There were \u201ca lot of good things, but a lot of things to work on. We create so many chances, but we need to be more clinical. It\u2019s frustrating, but the performance was decent.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Premier League table<\/h2>\n

Manchester United edge up to sixth, level on points with Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Sunderland. Bournemouth\u2019s point lifts them two places to 13th. United have now scored 30 league goals \u2013 only City have netted more. The problem is the 26 goals conceded.<\/p>\n

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A hat-tip to Jamie Jackson, who questioned United\u2019s quantity of four-goal hauls in our Premier League preview last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cManchester United have lost just one of their last nine Premier League games and equally encouraging is the fact that Ruben Amorim\u2019s men have grabbed four goals twice, 15 matches into the campaign. Last season\u2019s 4-0 home win over Everton was the sole time this occurred in the league in 2024-25.\u201d<\/p>\n

We can make that three times now, although this might not have been the result and performance Jamie was envisaging.<\/p>\n

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Who\u2019s going to be happier with that result?<\/strong> For Manchester United, there are signs that they\u2019re finding an attacking swagger \u2013 but the defence remains a big concern. There have been dispiriting draws at Old Trafford recently, but this wasn\u2019t one of them.<\/p>\n

Bournemouth, meanwhile, do not look like a team on a seven-game winless run \u2013 they did brilliantly to fight back twice, and had the better chances at the death. Having won 3-0 here in their last two visits, they scored four this time \u2013 but didn\u2019t win.<\/p>\n

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A few stats from Sky:<\/strong> United had 25 shots to Bournemouth\u2019s 14, with nine each on target. The hosts\u2019 xG was 3.27, to the visitors\u2019 1.86 (which seems a touch low). Possession was 56-44 in United\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n

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To recap:<\/strong> United flew out of the traps and led through Amad Diallo\u2019s header \u2013 but Bournemouth hit back, Antoine Semenyo punishing a defensive lapse to level. Casemiro nodded the hosts back in front just before half time, but things only got more frantic in the second half.<\/p>\n

Evanilson netted within 45 seconds of the restart, and Marcus Tavernier\u2019s free kick then put the visitors in front. United fought back, levelling with an even better free kick from Bruno Fernandes \u2013 and two minutes later, Matheus Cunha fired them in front.<\/p>\n

Bournemouth would not give in, though, and substitute Eli Junior Kroupi struck a leveller six minutes from time \u2013 before David Brooks saw two chances saved by Senne Lammens in stoppage time. Phew!<\/p>\n

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Full time: Manchester United 4-4 Bournemouth<\/h2>\n

The final whistle sounds on one of the best games of the season so far \u2013 one where both teams led, and both might wonder how they didn\u2019t win. There were brilliant goals, defensive chaos \u2013 everything but the late winner \u2013 and after all that, it\u2019s a point each.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Bruno Fernandes looks shell-shocked as he applauds the crowd.<\/span> Photograph: Peter Powell\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a017.11 EST<\/p>\n

99 mins: <\/strong>Yikes! Semenyo plays in Brooks, who gets a second chance to grab a winner \u2013 but again, he\u2019s denied by Lammens! What a ridiculous game \u2026<\/p>\n

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97 mins: <\/strong>Eek! Zirkzee\u2019s header across goal is hooked away from danger, and now Bournemouth can break one more time \u2026<\/p>\n

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96 mins: <\/strong>Adam Smith is sent to the touchline because his mouth is bleeding, and is completely livid at having to wait to come back on. In the meantime, Senesi\u2019s shot is well struck, but saved by Lammens at his near post.<\/p>\n

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95 mins: Ooooof! <\/strong>Instead, he throws it short (if that\u2019s the phrase) to Gimenez, who whips in a brilliant ball across the United area. Brooks gets a head to it and seems certain to score, but Lammens sticks a leg out to save!<\/p>\n

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94 mins: <\/strong>Brooks\u2019 free kick is headed awkwardly behind by Zirkzee, and Bournemouth have a corner \u2026 which is flicked clear at the far post by Mainoo. Semenyo can launch another long throw \u2026<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.56 EST<\/p>\n

93 mins: <\/strong>Mbeumo is going off, as is Luke Shaw. On come Patrick Dorgu and Joshua Zirkzee.<\/p>\n

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92 mins: <\/strong>Semenyo heaves a long throw into the box but United clear it and break through Sesko. He finds Amad, who moves it on to Fernandes, whose low cross zips beyond Mbeumo.<\/p>\n

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90 mins: <\/strong>Tavernier and Kluivert go off, replaced by David Brooks and James Hill, a homegrown centre-back. Pulling down the shutters, Andoni? For shame.<\/p>\n

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89 mins: <\/strong>Eight added minutes. Buckle up! Cunha tries an ambitious shot from the corner of the area that Petrovic gets behind easily.<\/p>\n

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88 mins: <\/strong>Both teams have a chance to run at the other\u2019s defence, the whole concept of midfields abandoned. Semenyo, and then Sesko, fail to make the most of the options in front of them.<\/p>\n

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86 mins: <\/strong>Sir Alex Ferguson is watching on in utter bemusement as both sets of players steel themselves for stoppage time. Does this ridiculous see-saw battle have a knockout blow?<\/p>\n

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United seemed to have swept this game away from Bournemouth again, but their defence stands off here and get punished. Jimenez prods a ball into the path of Kroupi, under pressure, who drills the ball into the bottom corner and backflips away in celebration. Outrageous, egregious, preposterous.<\/p>\n

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GOAL! Man Utd 4-4 Bournemouth (Kroupi 84′)<\/h2>\n

Come on, this is getting silly now. Substitute Eli Junior Kroupi has Bournemouth back on level terms \u2026 again!<\/p>\n

<\/span>Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi scores their side’s fourth goal.<\/span> Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.52 EST<\/p>\n

81 mins: <\/strong>A bit of admin to cover off \u2013 Smith and Senesi were both booked for their complaints before Bruno\u2019s free kick, which feels like a long time ago already.<\/p>\n

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Bournemouth just couldn\u2019t get organised after Bruno\u2019s goal, and Sesko carries the ball down the left. He aims a cross towards Diallo and although Truffert intercepts, he stumbles and presents the ball to Cunha, eight yards out. He takes a touch and drills it home!<\/p>\n

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GOAL! Man Utd 4-3 Bournemouth (Cunha 79′)<\/h2>\n

What a comeback. What a game! Manchester United retake the lead with Bournemouth all at sea \u2013 and it\u2019s Matheus Cunha who gets the goal!<\/p>\n

<\/span>And then Matheus Cunha makes it four!<\/span> Photograph: Carl Recine\/Getty ImagesShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.47 EST<\/p>\n

78 mins: <\/strong>Iraola makes a change, bringing Eli Kroupi on for Evanilson. Has the pendulum swung again in this game?<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.40 EST<\/p>\n

GOAL! Man Utd 3-3 Bournemouth (Fernandes 77′)<\/h2>\n

Oh, wow. You could almost sense this was coming, as Fernandes steps up and sends an unstoppable free kick into the far corner, flicking off the crossbar as a final flourish. United are level, and time\u2019s on their side \u2026<\/p>\n

<\/span>Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United scores to make it 3-3.<\/span> Photograph: Paul Currie\/ShutterstockShare<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a016.47 EST<\/p>\n

76 mins: <\/strong>Bournemouth don\u2019t get the ball away and United get a free kick on the edge of the area after Fernandes\u2019 cross is handled by Smith. Bruno will take it \u2026<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.58 EST<\/p>\n

75 mins: <\/strong>Another opening for the hosts as Mainoo picks up the ball again and finds Cunha, whose swerving shot stings Petrovic\u2019s palms!<\/p>\n

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74 mins: <\/strong>Mainoo moves forward and tries to find Sesko, but Senesi does well to nick the ball away.<\/p>\n

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73 mins: <\/strong>From a Bournemouth corner, Amad leads a charge downfield and crosses for Mbeumo \u2013 but his attempted through ball to Shaw is overcooked.<\/p>\n

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72 mins: <\/strong>Sesko has joined Mbeumo up front, with Cunha dropping to the left. Gary Neville believes this is a proper back four, but I\u2019m not sure \u2013 Dalot has moved to the right, but Shaw now seems to be further forward.<\/p>\n

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70 mins: <\/strong>Cunha\u2019s shot is charged down, leading to big calls for handball \u2013 but in the meantime, the rebound lands to Mbeumo, who blazes over from five yards out! He\u2019s had chances tonight but just seems to keep snatching at them.<\/p>\n

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68 mins: <\/strong>Two more United changes \u2013 Lisandro Mart\u00ednez replaces Yoro, and Benjamin Sesko is on for Mount. The big striker was due back from a knee injury but then suffered a bout of food poisoning.<\/p>\n

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66 mins: <\/strong>An unconvincing night for Petrovic continues, as the keeper palms Cunha\u2019s cross-shot off the bar and behind. The corner ricochets into his arms, while Smith is left on the deck and looks a little dazed.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a016.44 EST<\/p>\n

64 mins: <\/strong>United are far from resigned to defeat here, still poking plenty of holes in the visiting defence. Mount hooks in a teasing cross that evades Petrovic \u2013 but Cunha is just in the wrong place and the ball sails beyond him.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen was the last time United lost a league game at home after having the lead at half-time?\u201d asks F. \u201cI am thinking it must be close to 40 years.\u201d It\u2019s never happened in the Premier League era, and I think<\/em> the last time was in 1984, against Ipswich Town.<\/p>\n

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62 mins: <\/strong>Mainoo\u2019s energy is needed in midfield, where Casemiro and Fernandes have been getting overrun. On the edge of the Bournemouth area, Mount finds Mbeumo, whose hurried shot lacks any real power.<\/p>\n

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61 mins: <\/strong>Amorim makes his first change, and it\u2019s a popular one with the home fans \u2013 Kobbie Mainoo is coming on for Casemiro!<\/p>\n

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60 mins: <\/strong>At the other end, frustrated home fans urge Amad, then Mbeumo, then Fernandes to shoot from the edge of the area, and groan as the latter tries a scoop pass that doesn\u2019t come off.<\/p>\n

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59 mins: <\/strong>United give the ball away and Bournemouth have a three-on-three \u2013 but Heaven does well to read Kluivert\u2019s pass and clear the danger.<\/p>\n

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58 mins: <\/strong>Amad sends a cross skipping and bouncing across the area, but nobody is there to meet it and Mount can\u2019t keep it in on the far side.<\/p>\n

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\u201cTo play like Bournemouth requires self-belief,\u201d says Kari Tulinius. \u201cIf a lesser side gave up a goal as silly as United\u2019s second, heads could drop. Especially given their run lately. But they back themselves, and now they\u2019re ahead.\u201d Yes, credit where it\u2019s due. The United of the first half don\u2019t seem to be out here now, though.<\/p>\n

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55 mins: <\/strong>United are trying to haul themselves off the canvas, but Fernandes sends a chipped cross well behind Petrovic\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n

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54 mins: <\/strong>Gary Neville thinks Lammers should have done better with that Tavernier free kick, suggesting the keeper was caught on his heels. I think he was unsighted by Fernandes and Cunha, who left a big gap between them for some reason.<\/p>\n

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Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Match report I\u2019ll leave you with Jamie Jackson\u2019s verdict from a thriller at Old Trafford. I\u2019m off for a lie down. Thanks for joining me. Share Coming up for Manchester United: Aston Villa (A, Sun), Newcastle (H, 26 Dec), Wolves (H,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[9491,419,3504,1570,1706,3677],"class_list":{"0":"post-37592","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-bournemouth","9":"tag-happened","10":"tag-league","11":"tag-manchester","12":"tag-premier","13":"tag-united"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37592","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37592"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37592\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37593"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37592"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37592"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37592"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}