From near-total control to collapse to late Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha goals that seemed to put Manchester United on the right end of a 4-3 thriller. But, then, yet more horrific defending allowed Eli Kroupi, a substitute, to score Bournemouth’s third equaliser and, at the final whistle, the points were shared.
2025/2026 Premier League
4-4
Match Report
Manchester United and Bournemouth put on one of the games of the Premier League season so far, trading blows in a thrilling 4-4 draw that saw Ruben Amorim experiment with his formation.
The Portuguese has had to mount a staunch defence of his 3-4-3 system at times, but looked to be playing a tweaked or even entirely altered formation from kick-off. In fact, by the middle of the second half, he had thrown caution to the wind and gone for a 4-2-4.
Whatever tactics Amorim deployed, they certainly worked with Manchester United dominant in the first half. Their 17 shots were the most by any Premier League team in the first 45 minutes of a game this season.
Manchester United made a deserved breakthrough in the 13th minute as Amad Diallo nodded home on his final appearance before the Africa Cup of Nations. There was a brief VAR check for offside, with Matheus Cunha also scrutinised, but the goal stood.
Despite all their good play going forward, defensive errors reared their heads again for Bournemouth's equaliser. Luke Shaw was too easily barged out of the way, allowing Antoine Semenyo to power forward. He then swept home, with the goal coming against the run of play.
Deservedly though, Casemiro nodded Manchester United back in front on the stroke of half-time from a corner - the hosts' seventh from the set piece this season, with only Arsenal (9) scoring more.
But just seven minutes after the break, the Red Devils somehow found themselves 3-2 behind. Bournemouth equalised with a brilliant finish from Evanilson 38 seconds into the second half, before Marcus Tavernier curled a wonderful free-kick into the bottom left corner.
Then it was Manchester United's turn to score two quick goals to restore their lead as the pendulum swung back the other way. Bruno Fernandes scored a wonderful free-kick to level, before Cunha turned home inside a packed box as the ball fell kindly his way.
You always felt another goal was coming and it was Bournemouth who hit back again to round off an incredible eight-goal thriller. Eli Junior Kroupi - just on as a substitute - added to the raft of high-quality goals as he squeezed through the central defenders before arrowing home his effort.
The result moves Manchester United into sixth place on 26 points - level with Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Sunderland. Bournemouth are nudged up into 13th spot.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
2' Bournemouth seem to have a handball following Bruno's shot but ref says no pen
5' Blow for Bournemouth as Tyler Adams off injured and replaced by Scott
8' Mbeumo finds Mount whose shot is saved
13' GOAL! Diallo opens the scoring for the hosts early! Man Utd 1-0 Bournemouth
19' Highlight from Man Utd vs Bournemouth
27' Dalot finds Mbeumo in the box but his shot is easily saved
29' Kluivert swings in a cross and Tavernier heads it straight against the keeper
35' Diallo goes on a run, beating players before shooting but Smith saves it
37' Excellent cross from Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, in space again, volleys over
41' GOAL! Semenyo bursts into the box and slams a low shot! Man Utd 1-1 Bournemouth
43' A bust-up between Dalot and Semenyo now and the referee books both
47' GOAL! Evanilson slots in to equalize again! Man Utd 2-2 Bournemouth
49' GOAL! Casemiro heads home to get hosts back in lead! Man Utd 2-1 Bournemouth
51' GOAL! Tavernier scores a free-kick to turn it aorund! Man Utd 2-3 Bournemouth
62' Man United send on Mainoo for goalscorer Casemiro, who was on a yellow card
69' Sesko and Lisandro Martinez on for Leny Yoro and Mason Mount
71' United fans want a penalty for handball as Cunha lashes the ball at Scott's arm
77' GOAL! Bruno curls a beauty into the far top corner! Man Utd 3-3 Bournemouth
80' What a game! Cunha slots in to puts hosts ahead! Man Utd 4-3 Bournemouth
85' GOAL! Super sub Kroupi fires in to level the game! Man Utd 4-4 Bournemouth
96' Highlight from Man Utd vs Bournemouth
Line-ups
Man Utd XI: Casemiro, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Mount, Dalot, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens, Amad Diallo Traore, Yoro, Ayden Heaven
Subs: Altay Bayındır, Ugarte, Lisandro Martinez, Malacia, Zirkzee, Benjamin Sesko, Mainoo, Tyler Fredricson, Patrick Dorgu
Bournemouth XI: Smith, Adams, Marcus Tavernier, Kluivert, Marcos Senesi, Djordje Petrovic, Evanilson, Antoine Semenyo, Bafodé Diakité, Adrien Truffert, Jimenez
Subs: E.Ünal, Brooks, James Hill, Julián Araujo, Adli, Will Dennis, Alex Scott, Eli Kroupi, Julio Soler