LEAGUE title No.21 has never felt so far away for Manchester United.
On the weekend that rivals Liverpool could match their record of 20 top flight triumphs, United looked to be slumping to another history-making defeat with their fall from grace hitting a new low.
ReutersRasmus Hojlund ended his goal drought with a last-gasp equaliser[/caption]
GettyAntoine Semenyo netted the opener[/caption]
GettyThe winger fired in after Evanlison’s clever touch to him[/caption]
GettyEvanilson was shown a red card following a collision with Noussair Mazraoui[/caption]
PARuben Amorim managed to salvage a point against ten men[/caption]
Following Antoine Semenyo’s 23rd-minute strike at Europe-chasing Bournemouth, Ruben Amorim’s men were on course for their sixteenth defeat of the campaign – a first in the Premier League era and the first time in 35 years.
Fortune appears to favour the woeful, however. Evanilson’s harsh 70th-minute sending off gave the visitors the momentum as Rasmus Hojlund bundled in a 96th-minute leveller from close range.
The jubilation in the away end was wild, but perhaps just for show. United’s state remains bleak, in 14th and a world away from life on Merseyside right now – a team that actually has cause to celebrate.
Boss Amorim and shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in the stands at the Vitality Stadium, should be more worried about themselves.
It is laughable that, in the most dire of seasons, United could still emulate Liverpool by lifting silverware this season, but boss Amorim is somehow still dreaming of just that with a Europa League semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Not that Bilbao should be concerned. Bournemouth weren’t, and Andoni Iraola will feel his side deserved a valuable three points that would have put them in the driving seat for continental football.
Instead, there is still a mountain to climb with four games left.
Harry Maguire spoke pre-match of the similarities between Bilbao’s style of play and Bournemouth’s, making this the perfect European warm-up in the south coast sunshine.
It is why Amorim opted to go for strength rather than security – making five changes from the Wolves defeat with big-hitters Maguire, Leny Yoro, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes back in.
There was also a rare start for Luke Shaw – his first since England’s defeat in the final of Euro 2024 against Spain back in July – which would prove to be a stern test of his fitness following a series of frustrating muscular issues that have severely hampered him this term.
To be protected further, Shaw was on the left of a back three with Patrick Dorgu at wing-back – a necessity now with Diogo Dalot likely ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a calf problem.
For any other side, this would be a great time to head to the Vitality, the Cherries suffering a woeful run of form of just two Prem wins from their last ten to drop off the sprint finish for a top five Champions League spot.
But as the saying goes, this is Manchester United. One that averages slightly above one point a game under Amorim and with just 17 away points this term, only Tottenham and the relegated bottom three accumulating less thus far.
You cannot blame Amorim for living in the future when the present is so bleak.
This is a dead dog of a season that is being wished away week by painful week while United remain in with a shout in Europe, however fanciful and unlikely that may look right now.
But as preparations go for a mammoth two-legged tie against Bilbao – currently in the La Liga top four behind the division’s three giants – this will have taught Amorim very little, but confirmed a hell of a lot he already knew.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho had attempts at goal that kept Kepa occupied but unfazed. In the meantime, the hosts were patient, waiting for a moment to pounce on a feeble opponent.
It came via some fortune. Tyler Adams left the ground and planted one of his studs into the ankle of Garnacho just outside United’s box, picking up a yellow for his troubles.
In real time it looked nasty. Replays confirmed it was, one that usually ends in a dismissal, yet VAR let the American midfielder off after the briefest of checks.
Andre Onana stood over the free-kick, deciding his best bet was to put his team under more pressure after a stop in play, passing sideways to Maguire and then onto Dorgu, who was dispossessed in the softest of contests.
The cross in was flicked backwards by Evanilson and Semenyo gobbled up the offering with a fizzed effort past Onana.
Bought for £10m and now linked with a mega-move away this summer for around £70m, the Bristol City academy graduate is a stark reminder to United in how to develop a player and make him better.
United appear to be elite in doing the opposite with whoever walks through the door at Old Trafford, which is why Semenyo will be thinking more than twice if the Red Devils come calling in a few months.
Amorim’s reaction to his side going behind again was muted and emotionless. Casemiro took his anger out on Evanilson by raking his studs down the chest of his compatriot.
Garnacho was the brightest of a dim bunch for the visitors, beating the offside trap and nearly lobbing an onrushing Kepa but for the Spaniard’s fingertips.
Another shot from the Argentinian winger was dragged wide. Half-time was hardly a welcome relief with United winning just one of their 21 Prem away games in which they have trailed at the break across the past four seasons – the last coming in December.
So it made sense when Amorim’s men sleepwalked into the second half and allowed Semenyo to curl one within inches of the top corners after just 70 seconds.
Dango Ouattara then smacked the post from a free-kick, but the game changed when Evanilson slipped into a sliding challenge on Noussair Mazraoui in the 68th minute.
Two minutes and a VAR check and monitor review later, Peter Bankes upgraded the yellow to red – having also booked one of Iraola’s coaching staff for clashing with United’s bench.
Throwing caution to the wind, finally, United looked dangerous. Mason Mount missed a sitter, blocked by Milos Kerkez and Bruno Fernandes smacked the side-netting.
And then, Shaw’s cross was diverted by Manuel Ugarte and stabbed home by Hojlund – just his second United goal since December.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
