Manchester United draws 4-4 and misses out on the top 5! Amrabat switches to a back four but concedes heavily, Casemiro receives a yellow card and will be suspended.

Manchester United hosted Bournemouth at Old Trafford, needing a win to climb to 5th in the Premier League. However, the Red Devils missed their chance for the fourth time in six matches, ending in a 4-4 draw and remaining 6th. This was the fourth 4-4 draw in Old Trafford’s 115-year history, but this error-filled shootout was far from a classic game.

In this match, Morocco declined Manchester United’s request to keep Mazraoui in the squad, but Mbemo and Amad Diallo were allowed to play. Ruben Amrabat replaced Mazraoui at right center-back with Lenny Joro and continued to deploy a strikerless formation.

Before the game, there were rumors that Manchester United might switch to a back four, but Amrabat denied it. "It’s always the same topic; the formation isn’t the most important factor. What matters is how we arrange the lineup and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses," Amrabat explained. "Of course, we need to plan for the future, and the squad must be more versatile. With two wingers participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, we have to adjust tactics based on available players and learn from past mistakes."

When directly asked if they switched to a four-back system, Amrabat responded impatiently, "You can see for yourselves. Also, the starting lineup hasn’t changed much, so judge on your own."

On the surface, Manchester United still appeared with three center-backs, but in possession, it effectively shifted to a back four. Amad advanced forward, Joro took the right-back position, and left-back Diogo Dalot moved more centrally into the defensive midfield area, switching between 3-4-3 and 4-3-3 formations.

Manchester United started strongly, taking six shots in the first 10 minutes — their highest count in a Premier League game since October 2022.

In the 2nd minute, Bruno Fernandes shot from the left flank; the ball deflected and hit a Bournemouth defender’s arm, but no penalty was awarded according to the rules. Shortly after, Bournemouth’s midfield key player Tyler Adams was substituted due to injury; he is reportedly a target for Manchester United.

Soon after, Mason Mount’s low shot from a Mbemo cross was saved by the goalkeeper. However, Manchester United broke the deadlock early at the 13th minute: Diogo Dalot crossed from the left, Cunha challenged for a header, Bournemouth keeper Jorje Petrovic made an error, and Amad easily headed into an open goal, putting United 1-0 up.

Both sides then exchanged attacks. Senna Lamens saved Marcus Tavernier’s header, preserving United’s lead. But in the 41st minute, Luke Shaw’s poor control on the flank led to a turnover; Bournemouth countered swiftly, and Semenyo dribbled into the box to score with a low shot, leveling at 1-1. This was Semenyo’s first goal since October 3, ending his drought helped by the Red Devils, a rumored transfer target.

This marked the seventh time this season that Manchester United conceded an equalizer after leading 1-0, and in those seven games, United only won twice.

A clash broke out on the pitch when Dalot knocked down Semenyo, and the Ghanaian winger retaliated with a shove, including a slight chokehold gesture.

Manchester United fans believed this should have been a red card, as Casemiro was previously sent off for a similar action.

In stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes delivered a left-side corner, and Casemiro headed the ball near-post to give Manchester United a 2-1 lead going into halftime. Data shows United has scored seven goals from corners this season, second only to Arsenal’s nine.

Since October 1984, Manchester United has never lost a home game when leading at halftime. However, less than 60 seconds into the second half, United conceded. Joro’s offside trap failed, and Evanilson received a through ball to score one-on-one, leveling the match at 2-2.

Within five minutes, Bournemouth even took the lead: Tavernier scored a direct free kick from outside the box, curling low into the bottom left corner, putting United 2-3 behind.

Amrabat made substitutions, bringing on Kobe Meno, Szeszko, and Lisandro Martinez for Casemiro, Mount, and Joro. Cunha’s shot appeared to hit a Bournemouth defender’s arm again, but the referee did not award a penalty.

At the 77th minute, Bruno Fernandes responded with a direct free kick, firing a powerful shot into the top right corner to equalize 3-3. Since joining Manchester United, Bruno has recorded 17 matches with goals or assists in a single game, tying Beckham’s club record, only behind Rooney (22) and Giggs (35).

Three minutes later, Szeszko’s left-wing cross was weak, but Bournemouth’s clearance fell to Cunha, who easily scored facing the goal, putting United ahead 4-3 again.

Unfortunately, United’s goal was soon breached again. Bournemouth penetrated through the middle, and Eli Junior Crupi scored with a powerful shot, finalizing the score at 4-4. Notably, Bournemouth has scored three or more goals in their last three Premier League away matches against Manchester United. Crupi became the second player after Everton’s Steven Pienaar to equalize 4-4 at Old Trafford after the 84th minute.

Whoever defends loses; both teams neglected defense, resulting in a draw. In stoppage time, Manchester United almost suffered a last-minute defeat, but Lamens made two brilliant saves to deny David Brooks, securing a point for his team.

Manchester United started the first half excellently but sharply declined after halftime. Defensively, they conceded equalizers three times after leading. With four goals conceded this match, their total allowed goals reached 26, the sixth highest in the Premier League. At the end, Bruno Fernandes was visibly upset and needed consolation from opponents.

To make matters worse, Casemiro received a yellow card this match, meaning he will be suspended due to accumulating five yellow cards and will miss Sunday’s away game against Aston Villa. This leaves Amrabat without Mbemo, Amad, Mazraoui, and Casemiro for that match. Whether De Ligt can return is uncertain, making it difficult to decide between a three-center-back or four-back formation.