Man United 4–4 Bournemouth: Eight-Goal Thriller Ends in Old Trafford Chaos

Manchester United 4–4 Bournemouth

(Amad 13’, Semenyo 40’, Casemiro 45+4’, Evanilson 46’, Tavernier 52’, Fernandes 77’, Cunha 79’, Kroupi 84’)

An unbelievable night at Old Trafford saw eight goals shared evenly as Manchester United dropped points at home for the third successive game in a breathless 4–4 draw with Bournemouth.

Bournemouth completed a dramatic comeback straight after half-time, overturning a poor first-half display to go from 2–1 down to 3–2 ahead within minutes of the restart. United later mirrored that surge with a quickfire double of their own including a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and a Matheus Cunha finish to move 4–3 ahead and seemingly secure a vital victory in their push for Champions League qualification.

However, the final twist belonged to the visitors.

Substitute Eli Kroupi struck late to level the match once more, ensuring the points were shared. Bournemouth almost snatched victory in stoppage time, but David Brooks was twice denied by outstanding saves from United goalkeeper Lammens.

Rúben Amorim will be frustrated by his side surrendering a lead three times, though he may take some relief in preserving United’s remarkable record of never losing a Premier League game at Old Trafford when leading at half-time a streak that looked under serious threat.

United dominated the opening 45 minutes, showing high energy, sharp link-up play, and intensity rarely seen in recent home performances. Immediate pressure pinned Bournemouth back, and early chances followed.

Mason Mount forced an early save from Petrovic inside ten minutes with a volley into the ground, before United broke the deadlock five minutes later. Diogo Dalot cut inside from the left and delivered a dangerous cross intended for Cunha, who narrowly missed the ball.

The delivery continued through to Petrovic, whose save fell perfectly for Amad, allowing him to head into an empty net for his second goal of the season and his final appearance before AFCON.

United continued to press, with Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both going close. However, Bournemouth nearly grabbed an undeserved equaliser at the half-hour mark when Tavernier met Kluivert’s cross, only for Lammens to make a fine save.

Against the run of play, Bournemouth struck in the 40th minute.

A mix-up between Mount and Luke Shaw allowed Adam Smith to release Antoine Semenyo, who calmly finished into the far corner via the post for his seventh goal of the season.

United responded immediately and restored their lead on the stroke of half-time. Fernandes’ corner was met by Casemiro, whose header was straight at Petrovic, but a handling error allowed the ball to cross the line. Amorim’s side went into the break deservedly ahead at 2–1.

Bournemouth stunned Old Trafford less than a minute after the restart. Marcus Tavernier threaded a superb pass to Evanilson, who fired confidently into the bottom corner for his first goal since August.

Five minutes later, the turnaround was complete. A Casemiro foul conceded a free-kick just outside the box, and Tavernier stepped up to drive the ball past Lammens a strike the United goalkeeper may feel he should have done better with.

United appeared unsettled by the sudden shift and struggled to regain first-half control. A big chance for Mbeumo flew over the bar, but Bournemouth looked increasingly comfortable as the match entered its final stages.

Then came another twist. Fernandes once again delivered when United needed him most, thundering a magnificent free-kick into the top-right corner to equalise. Just two minutes later, United flipped the script. Cunha pounced on Benjamin Šeško’s cross, which was poorly cleared by Truffert, to make it 4–3.

But Bournemouth refused to fold. Five minutes later, Kroupi was played through and coolly finished past Lammens to complete an astonishing 4–4 scoreline, scoring just minutes after coming off the bench.

Both sides pushed for a winner, but it never came. Bournemouth went closest through Brooks, whose diving header and late effort were both superbly saved by Lammens, preserving United’s historic record.

The match ended level in an extraordinary contest, leaving Bournemouth winless in seven matches and sitting 13th in the Premier League. Manchester United, meanwhile, dropped points at home once again and remain sixth, missing a valuable opportunity to keep pace with their Champions League rivals.