Manchester United twice surrendered a lead as Harry Maguire was dismissed in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
In what was a game of two halves and refereeing decisions, Michael Carrick’s men impressed for large parts, taking the lead through Bruno Fernandes from the spot.
Ryan Christie levelled within minutes, before James Hill unknowingly steered the ball into his own net following Maguire’s direction from his captain’s corner delivery.
Cherries substitute Eli Junior Kroupi equalised with an 81st-minute penalty when Evanilson gained Stuart Attwell’s approval with a questionable collapse in the area.
Despite objections, Maguire was sent for an early shower as United held firm to extend their lead on those vying for a place in the top four.
Manchester United and Bournemouth share the points once more.
With the harsh reality of a 24-day break to follow the final whistle, Carrick was eager to secure a third win in March and bolster the momentum gained throughout his tenure.
Nonetheless, he would have to overcome a Bournemouth outfit that was enjoying the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League (10 games).
Although nothing was taken for granted, the allure of breathing space in the battle for Champions League football offered added incentive for a first win at the Vitality in nearly three years.
United’s starting XI remained unchanged from those who sealed a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa on Sunday, as Benjamin Sesko was once more tasked with impacting proceedings from the bench.
But with a formidable attacking quartet that supplies flair, tenacity and the option for interchange, the travelling contingent had ample reasoning for optimism.
December’s eight-goal Old Trafford spectacle was a stirring encounter, riddled with a barrage of end-to-end attacking onslaughts from the outset.
This evening’s meeting threatened a similar outlook, with a fast-paced tempo and a range of promising transitional moves inside the opening quarter.
Both Amad and Matheus Cunha tested Djordje Petrovic with a pair of stirring efforts early on, while Rayan sent a low attempt marginally wide at the end of a rapid counter-attacking move.
Notably, United began to dictate matters as the half progressed, disregarding any suggestion of potential sluggishness due to minimal first-team obligations.
Such was the nature of play that Andoni Iraola’s side were forced to live largely on the break, content to sit deep and frustrate in response to their guests’ front-footed approach.
Carrick’s men were oozing with confidence and forced their hosts to defend as a collective. Petrovic was again on hand to deny Fernandes with an outstretched toe late on, following a precise Diogo Dalot delivery.
Still, the Cherries pushed back and offered plenty of threat through Rayan, who twice tested Senne Lammens from distance before the Belgian was on hand to deny a long-range Marcus Tavernier free kick.
| First-half statistics via sofascore.com | Bournemouth | Manchester United |
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Completed passes | 233 | 237 |
| Total shots | 5 | 11 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 4 | 3 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.45 | 0.72 |
As has become a familiar trend, United remained unchanged for the restart and rewarded their coach with a promising push following the whistle.
Cunha has settled into his new home with a sense of swagger while offering a renewed threat on the left wing in recent weeks.
His pace and strength were a constant thorn in the Bournemouth backline, and a moment of magic led him past two defenders before Alex Jimenez dragged him to the ground in the area.
Bruno casually slotted home the resulting spotkick, handing his side a deserved lead on the hour.
Amad thought they had earned a second penalty inside 10 minutes when he was hurled to the floor, but Attwell allowed play to continue before Christie finished a sweeping counter past a helpless Lammens.
Despite an on-field debate and a lengthy VAR review, the goal stood, and the Reds were left feeling rather aggrieved alongside a barrage of jeers.
The Cherries’ joy was short-lived, though, when a Bruno corner delivery resulted in an unsuspecting Hill directing the ball into his own net.
Alex Scott came within millimetres of levelling for a second time when his long-range effort clattered the woodwork.
But his side restored parity from the spot within minutes, courtesy of Junior Kroupi, after Maguire was dismissed when ruled to have denied Evanilson a goal-scoring opportunity.
Nine additional minutes offered the prospect of further drama at the Vitality, but neither side could muster a winning dagger.
All things considered, a point is far from a negative against a routinely tricky side and extends United’s advantage over Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea.
An Old Trafford date with Leeds presents the next challenge for this group on April 13, with ample time for planning and preparation.
How are you feeling following another draw with Bournemouth? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images via depositphotos.com.
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