Though all eyes are on Bilbao on Thursday, the league form still matters.
It’s never a good thing to keep losing in the Premier League or have your form fall off, particularly with Man Utd being such an emotional club, points and form are important. Especially with how poor things have been since Ruben Amorim arrived.
In a physical, stop-start encounter, Bournemouth nipped at Man Utd’s heels and scored from their only shot on target.
As the game went on, Man Utd’s confidence grew as Bournemouth were reduced to ten men in the second half with Evanilson getting sent off.
Man Utd’s second half pressure eventually paid off as they scored an equaliser through Rasmus Hojlund and picked up a point.
Here are five things we learnt from an aggressive match:
1. Blunt Attack becoming infuriating
The attack under Ruben Amorim is the biggest problem. Even when the Red Devils create chances it doesn’t feel like they’re going to put any away.
There was a period in both the second and first half where Man Utd built up a head of steam and correctly found space wide on the wings to fizz the ball back into the box and yet not one attacker could make a clean connection.
Man Utd’s best player in Bruno Fernandes had the best chance of the game, latching onto an Alejandro Garnacho cut-back and yet scuffed his shot wide.
The curse is even effecting Fernandes. Most of the goals scored under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP were through cutbacks but even when Man Utd execute the correct pattern, the finishing is downright woeful.
It’s incredibly frustrating to watch because even when Man Utd are in the ascendancy, they don’t capitalise.
Rasmus Hojlund’s goal was deserved, but the feeling is Man Utd should’ve scored more.
2. Physical Encounter
The match had so many stoppages and VAR checks with the physical way Bournemouth play it flashed by without much action ocurring.
In the first half it felt as though Bournemouth with their ability to win duels frustrated Man Utd with most of the players throwing their arms up in the air at each challenge.
They grew more into the game in the second half, but it feels like another example of a team that for most of the game outfought Man Utd.
It’s no wonder Bournemouth had a sending off with the manner in which they fly into tackles and challenges. It’s part of the way they play.
Think back to the games vs Newcastle United and Wolves in the Winter, Man Utd couldn’t cope and when they eventually found a foothold into the game it was late on.
The Premier League is the most physical it’s ever been, the sooner Man Utd realise that, the better they’ll become.
3. Huge Hojlund Goal
Rasmus Hojlund scored a crucial poacher’s goal in the dying minutes to give Man Utd a deserved point.
It was only the Dane’s second goal since December 2024, considering he is the club’s leading striker, that is damning.
But, every goal gives a striker confidence and Rasmus Hojlund has been playing in a very blunt attack, the hope will be that going into a crucial semi final tie vs Athletic Bilbao, Rasmus Hojlund will be going into the games with confidence.
Especially considering the fact he has a much better record in Europe for Man Utd.
4. Errors in build-up
Ruben Amorim has had enough time with this Man Utd side for us to make some judgements despite the Portuguese manager having made only one signing.
What is a consistent theme is the amount of times a Man Utd attack breaks down because of sloppy passes. There were times in the first half where spaces opened up, but Man Utd opted to go for the calmer route and play the ball back.
There isn’t a problem with this if that’s the way Man Utd want to play, the issue arises when Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw or Noussair Mazraoui misplace a pass and the build-up breaks down.
This is just off the top of my head but those are the examples I can remember. For example take a look at the goal conceded, everyone is in the right place but Patrick Dorgu is dispossessed and Bournemouth can break.
It’s obvious that Man Utd’s personnel isn’t the best to execute Ruben Amorim’s style of play in a slick manner.
The summer will yield personnel changes, where hopefully we’ll see an improvement. No less perhaps with all the talk of Matheus Cunha of late.
5. Bilbao Awaits
Though the league matters, Man Utd’s priorities are with the Europa League to try and salvage the season.
After an astonishing comeback vs Lyon, it’s encouraging that Man Utd got something out of the Bournemouth game and go to the Basque Country with at least a draw and not another loss.
The fact that Man Utd still have something to play for at this crucial stage of the season is a positive, but it very much is Europa League or bust in a testing, difficult season.
A tough physical encounter vs Bournemouth was good preparation for another tricky away tie in Spain.
Man Utd could’ve folded after going a goal behind to the Cherries, but aided by a Bournemouth sending off they relied on their resilience again to get back into the encounter.
They will need similar steel and grit to get a result against Athletic Bilbao.
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