Manchester United and Bournemouth delivered one of the Premier League season’s most entertaining matches, finishing 4-4 as Ruben Amorim experimented with his formation.
Amorim, who has often used a 3-4-3, appeared to start with a tweaked shape and by the middle of the second half had switched to an adventurous 4-2-4. Whatever the layout, United dominated early: their 17 first-half shots were the most by any Premier League side in a first half this season.
United broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Amad Diallo nodded home on his final appearance before the Africa Cup of Nations after a brief VAR check that left the goal standing. Bournemouth levelled against the run of play when Luke Shaw was easily muscled off the ball and Antoine Semenyo powered home.
Casemiro put United back ahead with a header from a corner on the stroke of half-time — United’s seventh goal from a set piece this season. However, the second half exploded into action: Evanilson equalised just 38 seconds after the restart and Marcus Tavernier then curled a superb free-kick into the bottom corner to make it 3-2 to the visitors.
United responded with two quick goals. Bruno Fernandes struck a brilliant free-kick to level, and Matheus Cunha turned home from close range to restore United’s lead. Late on substitute Eli Junior Kroupi squeezed between defenders and finished to make it 4-4 and complete an incredible eight-goal thriller.
The draw moves Manchester United up to sixth on 26 points, level with Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Sunderland; Bournemouth rise to 13th.
Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football called it “the best game of the Premier League season so far” and praised United’s first-half performance under Amorim. Amorim described the match as “a fun game” but said United should have won, lamenting lapses in concentration and moments to be more clinical. “We need to focus on the performance today,” he added, acknowledging positives and areas to work on.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said the match “had everything,” noting swings of momentum and praising his team’s attacking intent while admitting defensive errors cost them, particularly the corner that led to Casemiro’s goal.
Team news: Noussair Mazraoui was unavailable for United due to AFCON so Leny Yoro started; fellow AFCON participants Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo both started. Benjamin Sesko returned to the matchday squad after a knee injury. Bournemouth made one change with Tyler Adams starting in place of Alex Scott, but Adams was injured inside four minutes and Scott came on.
Key scorers: Amad Diallo (Man Utd), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Casemiro (Man Utd), Evanilson (Bournemouth), Marcus Tavernier (Bournemouth), Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd), Matheus Cunha (Man Utd), Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth).
